Delhi Police Conducts Comprehensive Security Audit of Temples Amid Terror Threats
In response to the car blast near Red Fort in November and ongoing threats from Lashkar-e-Taiba modules, Delhi Police has initiated a detailed security audit of temples across the city. This proactive measure aims to identify vulnerabilities and enhance safety protocols at these religious sites, which attract thousands of devotees daily.
Gauri Shankar Mandir in Chandni Chowk Faces Significant Security Lapses
The audit of the historic 800-year-old Gauri Shankar Mandir in Chandni Chowk has uncovered alarming deficiencies. Entry and exit points are poorly regulated, with no frisking or screening procedures in place. Critical security equipment such as door-frame metal detectors, hand-held metal detectors, and baggage scanners are completely absent. The number of private guards and volunteers is insufficient, and there is no structured deployment plan to manage crowds effectively.
CCTV cameras are installed but lack dedicated monitoring staff, rendering them ineffective for real-time surveillance. Fire-safety arrangements are inadequate, and evacuation plans along with emergency signage are non-existent. Police recommendations include regulating entry and exit through designated gates, installing essential security equipment, and deploying trained personnel. Additional suggestions involve enhancing CCTV monitoring with adequate backup, introducing a centralized public address system, improving fire safety and medical facilities, implementing a proper evacuation plan with clear signage, and relocating shoe counters to reduce congestion.
Shri Digamber Jain Lal Mandir Near Red Fort Also Shows Deficiencies
At Shri Digamber Jain Lal Mandir, located near Red Fort, similar issues have been identified. Entry and exit points are inadequately regulated, allowing devotees to move freely without being frisked by hand-held metal detectors. Only two door-frame metal detectors are installed, and there is no baggage screening facility or cloakroom. Fire and medical preparedness are minimal, with no public address system or evacuation plans in place. Parking is unregulated, and rooftop access remains uncontrolled.
Sources within the police department state that recommendations include installing regulated gates and baggage scanners, deploying trained personnel with hand-held metal detectors, enhancing CCTV monitoring, starting a centralized PA system, improving fire and first-aid facilities, relocating shoe counters, and implementing an evacuation plan with signage and rooftop security measures.
Audits Conducted Under Senior Police Supervision
The audits of north Delhi temples were carried out under the supervision of Joint Commissioner of Police (Central) Madhur Verma and Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia. This high-level oversight underscores the seriousness of the security concerns and the commitment to addressing them promptly.
Pracheen Hanuman Mandir in Yamuna Bazar Highlights Crowd Management Issues
At Pracheen Hanuman Mandir in Yamuna Bazar, which sees 60,000 to 70,000 devotees on Tuesdays, including VVIP visitors, similar gaps have been observed. Inadequate security personnel, lack of fire-fighting and first-aid facilities, multiple unregulated entry points, low boundary walls, limited screening with only two door-frame metal detectors, and unregulated parking pose significant risks.
Police recommendations include strengthening perimeter walls with view cutters, expanding CCTV coverage with dedicated monitoring, deploying trained staff, installing cabins to frisk woman devotees, implementing a centralized PA system, enhancing fire and medical preparedness, controlling entry and exit points, and improving traffic management.
Other Temples Also Require Immediate Attention
At Bankhandi Shiv Mandir, opposite Delhi Railway Station, the front entrance lacks a proper gate, and the boundary wall is almost dilapidated in stretches. No security guards are deployed, though CCTV cameras exist. Recommendations focus on repairing and raising boundary walls, installing fencing and a proper main gate, and deploying security personnel.
Chandni Chowk’s Narsingh Hanuman Mandir, which attracts 1,000–1,500 devotees on peak days, has lapses including unregulated gates, absence of frisking, baggage scanners, cloakroom facilities, and limited CCTV coverage without monitoring. Suggested measures include putting up regulated gates, metal detectors, baggage scanners, cabins to frisk woman devotees, employing trained personnel, enhancing CCTV monitoring, implementing a centralized PA system, improving fire and first-aid facilities, drawing up an evacuation plan, and relocating shoe counters.
This comprehensive audit by Delhi Police highlights the urgent need for enhanced security measures at temples across the city to safeguard devotees and prevent potential threats.
