Baggage scanners at Vidhana Soudha have been under repair since 2021

Bengaluru: Security measures at the iconic Vidhana Soudha, the state’s seat of governance, appears to be in some disarray with the state government, in a Right to Information response, admitting to administrative and security protocol violations. In a response to an RTI query, the state government admitted that baggage scanners at all four gates of Vidhana Soudha have been “under repair” since 2021. Procured in 2015, the scanners were functional until 2021 before requiring repairs. “I visited Vidhana Soudha a few months ago and was shocked to find that the baggage scanners were not functional,” said advocate Surendra Ugare, the RTI applicant. “It is an iconic structure and should be protected at all times. But that does not appear to be the case.” Ugare said he decided to file an RTI query and seek answers on the amount spent on repairing these machines. “The government has till date not given me a response in this regard but, in its response on January 23, it admitted that it is under repair since 2021.” A copy of the RTI information is with TOI. SD Sharanappa, joint commissioner of police (intelligence), said he is aware that the machines are not working but did not know when the scanners began malfunctioning. He said a recent audit of security screening of the secretariat buildings, including Vidhana Soudha, Vikas Soudha, and the multi-storeyed building found the apparatus “outdated”. The senior IPS officer said funds to procure new scanning machines have already been allocated. “We need to replace these machines with state-of-the-art technology,” Sharanappa said. “We have now started the process of procuring new scanning machines for these buildings. We intend to replace them soon.” Araga Jnanendra, home minister, was unavailable for comment despite repeated calls and requests.
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