The state government’s initiative to establish guidelines for buildings resistant to explosives has encountered a lack of progress, despite the committee entrusted with addressing the issue submitting its report in February of the previous year. Originating in response to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, the state government had hailed this endeavor as a pioneering initiative.

M.V. Mirani, the committee chairperson who presented the report, remains optimistic that the recommendations outlined in the report will be given due consideration. Despite submitting the report in February and following up in March, with detailed manuals prepared by September, there has been no substantial discussion on the recommendations for the entire state. Mirani expressed, “We had readied manuals for safety and security, encompassing guidelines for a physical protection system, a reference manual on surveillance systems, electrification, fire safety, and the evaluation and auditing of buildings vulnerable to terror attacks.”

The government resolution aimed to establish a committee to assess the feasibility of explosive-resistant buildings and integrate surveillance systems into public buildings. However, a state government official cited a lack of review meetings for the report due to officers being preoccupied with other matters.

The Urban Development Department had issued directives, and based on the committee’s recommendations and terms of reference, the government was expected to implement necessary changes in the development control rules regarding the security aspects of such buildings.

The eight-member committee, including representatives from Southern Command, Pune, the Anti-Terrorism Squad chief, deputy secretary of the UDD department, Bombay Municipal Corporation chief engineer, chief fire officer, an expert on blast-resistant buildings, and deputy director of town planning, had set forth design parameters for explosive-resistant buildings, surveillance systems, building illumination, and police chowkies in all public buildings.