Bangalore: The city, which has seen only rare acts of terrorism in recent years, is gearing for any major eventuality. Ever since the terrorist attack at the Indian Institute of Science last year and the explosions near places of worship a few years earlier, counter terrorism measures have been in place.

The serial explosions in Mumbai's suburban trains has kept on high alert those in-charge of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus stations and depots. BMTC Director (Vigilance) P.S. Sandhu said all officers were alerted as soon as he got the message about the incidents in Mumbai.

"The officers were asked to rehearse the standard safety procedures while conductors and drivers have been instructed to report promptly about any suspicious object left behind in a bus, depot or at a bus station," he said. Senior officers were inspecting major installations of the corporation to make sure security arrangements were in place. The BMTC is in touch with the city police and police presence has substantially increased in the usually crowded bus stations.

Vigil tightened at KSRTC

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has stepped up vigil at the Kempe Gowda Bus Station and its depots around the city. Officials said along with the city police, the corporation's security personnel were monitoring the closed circuit television cameras at bus stations.

The police have two units to deal with incidents involving explosives — the bomb detection squad and the bomb disposal squad. Both squads are stationed at the city police commissioner's office at the State Intelligence unit.

\The staff of these squads is trained by Central agencies in detecting and disposing of explosives safely. They use sniffer and tracker dogs to detect hidden explosives in public places. The dog squad of the city police has 13 sniffer dogs and 11 tracker dogs, trained in detecting hidden explosives.

More coordination

Ajai Kumar Singh, Director-General, Fire and Emergency Services and Home Guards, said: "Being alert is built into our personnel because of the nature of their job. Now, there will be more coordination among the security agencies, corporates, Defence installations and public utilities to have a quicker reaction to any emergency situation."

During the past two days, a list of equipment, including fire tenders and personnel, were compiled. The 150 firemen will now have 250 Home Guards and others trained to deal with emergencies to help them. Undertakings such as the HAL and Defence installations have been asked to make available 10 more fire tenders to augment the 35, the fire services have.

Private agencies with heavy-duty cranes and earthmovers have been contacted for help if needed.

All ambulance services have been alerted. Commandants of Home Guards in towns around Bangalore have been asked to keep their trained personnel ready for duty.

Security personnel at the airport are coordinating with the police in patrolling the airport premises, including the terminal buildings with more armed personnel.

Surveillance at airport

Plainclothes personnel have been screening visitors and the ban on entry of visitors was re-imposed from Thursday evening.

It was briefly relaxed after being imposed immediately after the Mumbai incidents. Airport security personnel have been briefed on dealing with any explosives detected.

The government hospitals in the city reported being ready for any emergency and having adequate stocks of blood and medications.

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