Is 11, Ashoka Road safe for PM Narendra Modi?

The Special Protection Group (SPG) was poring over maze of water lines and sewerage pipes under the BJP headquarters frequented by prime minister Narendra Modi. Within a fortnight after Modi took over as prime minister, the party office wrote to the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) seeking details of the pipes under the building in the heart of the capital. The NDMC replied giving an underground map, which the party promptly forwarded to the SPG for needful instructions to the NDMC and the CPWD.

Modi's visits to the party headquarters have raised security concerns at 11, Ashoka Road. Sources dealing with the prime minister's security said it has been indicated that it would be advisable to shift the BJP office to a less frequented and wider road within the Lutyen's zone.

Modi has highest threat perception in the country from terrorist outfits and fringe elements. Sources said the SPG, IB and Delhi Police that look after the PM's security have flagged off various concerns.

"We are making all possible arrangements in consultation with SPG and coordinating with our organisation," said BJP office secretary Arun Kumar Jain said when asked about security concerns like cushion or buffer zone, required for a place frequently visited by the prime minister.

Sources said the SPG had issued guidelines on stricter security at the party office and frisking of those visiting it and raised concerns about the parking of vehicles in front of the party office.

Handling media, especially electronic media that comes with its equipment, is a major concern for the SPG. "It causes difficulties to install scanning machines outside the headquarters on the road. If installed inside the gate, it poses a big security risk because of very close proximity to the entire complex. Moreover, as the entry points to the BJP headquarters are very narrow, we need plenty of time for proper frisking and checking which we never get," said a security official.

CPWD sources said the SPG had sought inputs for making the building more secure for the prime minister. "Apart from the main building, temporary structures that are being used as cabins have been constructed. There is not much scope to raise the wall or erect security gadgets," said a senior officer of CPWD. The party's various cells operate from cabins in the lawn behind the main office.

Besides, the bungalows behind the BJP headquarters give CPWD very limited scope of making alternations or securing the vicinity of the area. "We have raised certain points. It is for the SPG to take the final call. A clear picture on what all changes are to be made will come out only after we get SPG's recommendations," the officer said.

In 2001, BJP was allotted 1.87 acres of land between Raisina Road and Dr Rajender Prasad Road in Delhi for new party office The plot, which is right opposite Shastri Bhawan in the capital currently is being used as a parking lot and some small eateries operate in the area. "The allotment has been made many years back, it is now for the BJP to state it's claim on the land," said an officer of the urban development ministry.

Security concerns
1) There is no cushion or buffer zone, required for a place frequently visited by the PM, on the road which is just four lane wide and one of the busiest Road in Lutyen's zone.
2) Even a small crowd outside BJP office results in chaos and effects traffic movement in Lutyen's zone from India Gate to Mandi House to Bangla Sahib that take hours to clear.
3) There are no designated secure areas for PM within BJP HQ that can be sanitised by the SPG on a regular basis.
4) The size of BJP HQ, its close proximity to other bungalows and the haphazard design of rooms constructed inside are ill conceived from security point of view which makes it very difficult for the SPG to secure the area.