With the aim of placing responsibility for their security arrangements in the right hands, hotels have preferred to hire former Army personnel in top positions.
It has been nearly one year since the serial blasts in the city last July 26, killing more than 50 people. In the time since the attack, and in view of last November’s terrorist attack on Mumbai, hotels in Ahmedabad have installed a tight security regimen to ensure that no such incidents take place at these hotels. With the aim of placing responsibility for their security arrangements in the right hands, the management of these hotels have preferred to hire former Army personnel in top positions.
The Grand Bhagwati hotel has rotating shifts of 25 security guards on duty. Extra personnel are hired as per the hotel’s daily requirement, which brings their total to an average of 45 guards every day. The security personnel have installed 65 closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras within the hotel and the parking lot. There are also metal detectors to check visitors, whose identification is also checked at the reception.
“We carry out a basic search of every person who enters the premises, right from a luggage check. The security guards posted are very vigilant,” said SP Swamy, a former army officer posted as security manager at the Grand Bhagwati.
Cama Hotel at Khanpur also has strict security arrangements, with 32 security guards, 14 CCTV cameras, metal detectors and a luggage check in place.
“We heightened our security arrangements after the 26/11 attack in Mumbai, upgrading them both technologically and manually. Being a senior defence officer, I understand the important of tight security and know how to implement such a system,” said Col SK Zarni, general manager, Cama Hotel.
Fortune Landmark, situated on Ashram Road, and Pride Hotel at Judges Bungalows, have similar stringent security arrangements. Manual metal detectors as well as walk-through metal detectors, along with hi-tech equipment, create a safe haven for both guests and staff at both hotels. The 26/11 attack in Mumbai was an eye-opener for hotel management and staff across the city of Ahmedabad and no chances are being taken to risk the lives of anyone on their premises.
Hotels across world enhance security
The Marriott and Ritz-Carlton, located next to each other in Jakarta, Indonesia, were reputed to have tight security, in part because of a previous hotel attack six years ago. Metal detectors were installed at the entrances, were vehicles were not allowed to pull up to the lobby at the Marriott. On occasion, security guards opened the luggage of the guests entering; but terrorists were able to somehow evade the security measures by smuggling in bomb materials. On Saturday, a police spokesman said that one bag carrying bomb material set off a metal detector, but that security let it through after the owner said it was just a laptop computer.
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