Dog squad is a must at malls

All malls and multiplexes will now need to have their own sniffer dogs and competent security to tackle terror threat.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to make it mandatory for all malls and multiplexes in the city to develop their own security measures as a fallout of the terror strikes in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

On Friday, municipal commissioner Jairaj Phatak announced that malls and multiplexes will need to prepare a comprehensive security audit, which would include security measures like availability of sniffer dogs, closed circuit televisions, metal detectors, separate entry and exit points. These will be mandatory for all malls and multiplexes, both existing and proposed.

“We plan to incorporate these norms in the Development Control Regulations. No mall or multiplex will be issued occupation certificate, minus compliance,” he said.

Phatak said the request  for audit to be made compulsory came from director
general of police AN Roy’s  office and was forwarded to the state government.

The measures have been suggested considering the large crowds that assemble in the malls, making them rather soft targets. Phatak also announced that the state will incorporate all recommendations suggested by the state-appointed NV Merani committee on security measures to be taken at malls and multiplexes. Meanwhile, after chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh took a review of security arrangements at vital installations in the city including the water complex at Bhandup, security measures have been beefed up at these sites.