Heads of department building in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 4: The state heads of department building, commonly known as “Natala”, will shortly have security arrangements similar to those at the secretariat.

The general administration department has asked the chief engineer of buildings, public works department (PWD), to submit a proposal and estimate for the infrastructure needs of this building.

The secretariat has security personnel deployed at its five entry and exit points. A pass system controls the entry of outsiders into the secretariat. At present, the head of the directorate has three entry and exit points with no security deployment.

Sources in the PWD said the proposal would include raising the height of the boundary wall, installation of a control gate, construction of rooms for security personnel and adequate parking space on the building premises.

Chief engineer of buildings Satya Ranjan Sethy said a proposal along with the design had already been submitted. “The general administration department has asked for a revised proposal and this will be completed shortly,” said Sethy.

Sources in the general administration department said the proposal for deployment of security personnel had been on the cards since last year. “We had received a representation from the employees working in the building for a proper security system. Once the proposal is submitted, we will expedite the process,” said deputy director of estates S. Panda.

The building accommodates about 10 directorates of various departments. The building premises has become a haven for goons, who consume alcohol there at night. A number of motorcycle thefts there in the past two months have also underlined the need for improvement in security. The building also lacks proper fire safety measures. Sources in the general administration department said that though security arrangements had been made in the past, they were removed because of protests by the employees. However, employees said they would support the deployment of security personnel this time.