A view of Gandhi Maidan on Friday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

The state government, taking a lesson from the October 27 blasts, has taken the first step towards formulating a protocol for security at the 62-acre Gandhi Maidan.

In a meeting chaired by chief secretary Ashok Kumar Sinha on Thursday evening, the state government approved a protocol and also decided to form a committee under the Patna divisional commissioner.

Principal secretary, home, Amir Subhani, who convened the meeting, said: “On chief minister Nitish Kumar’s instructions, the state government has prepared a protocol for rallies at Gandhi Maidan. Focusing on the security point, it has been decided that doorframe metal detectors would be installed at every entrance for every rally.”

At present, there is virtually no one to take care of Gandhi Maidan, earlier known as Bankipore Maidan and Doranda Singh Maidan or as some government documents suggest Race Course and Oval.

Subhani said: “During rallies, people would be frisked and security equipment, such as closed-circuit television cameras, would be used inside and around the ground. The organiser would be also asked to carry out proper security checks.”

District magistrate N. Saravana Kumar, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manu Maharaj, Patna divisional commissioner ELSN Bala Prasad and Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) commissioner Kuldip Narayan also attended the meeting.

The state building construction department has been assigned the responsibility of the ground’s overall maintenance.

“The building construction department would look after the Gandhi Maidan’s maintenance and state government has also decided to form a committee under the Patna divisional commissioner, which would comprise the DM and SSP,” said Subhani.

The security protocol would only be implemented during rallies. “It is not possible to make such arrangements at such a public place round the year,” said Subhani.

District magistrate N. Saravana Kumar said: “Outsourcing of private security for the ground would also be on the list. The committee, to be formed shortly, would take the final decision.”

Sources said the committee would introduce a new fee for the booking of the ground.

A senior official, who attended the meeting, said: “The committee would be formed on the lines of the SK Memorial Hall committee and the fee would also be increased. From next time, the rally organisers would have to pay extra for the booking the ground. The fee has not yet been decided but it would surely be not Rs 20,000.”