India approves Rs.370 crore security cover for Games

NEW DELHI - India Monday approved state-of-the-art security for the 2010 Commonwealth Games at an estimated cost of Rs.370 crore - a move that also aims to set a benchmark for all big events in future.

The decision, taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved the Hyderabad-based state-owned Electronics Corporation of India Limited for setting up the Integrated Security System (ISS) for the Games.

“In the interests of uniformity, compatibility and economies of scale and to ensure that a complete security solution is provided, ECIL has been tasked to provide the ISS,” the statement said.

“The indigenous capacity creation and capacity validation to provide ’state-of-the-art’ security cover for large scale events will not only set new benchmarks but would be vital for the secure conduct of the Commonwealth Games 2010,” it said.

“This is the first time in India that a project for installation of an ISS on such a large-scale is being implemented,” a statement issued here said after the cabinet meeting.

As per the “host city agreement”, all venues associated with the Games are to be provided with specified facilities, including security.

During his recent visit to India, head of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Michael Fennel, who raised concerns about India’s preparedness for the Games, also brought up the matter of adequate security arrangements for the event scheduled to begin Oct 3.

ECIL, a wholly-owned Indian government enterprise established in 1967 to create a strong indigenous base in electronics, will deliver the security solution by March 31 next year.