Bangalore (PTI): The security of the nation's IT capital Bangalore seemed to have weighed top on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's mind in the wake of the terror strikes on Mumbai, when he asked the police on his arrival here on Wednesday to be on alert.

Singh, on a day's visit, called City Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari who was present at the IAF airbase and reminded him of the great responsibilities that lay with the police.

"Your responsibilities are high. I am confident that you will discharge your responsibilities," the Prime Minister told Bidari.

Bidari, confirming the advice given to him by the Prime Minister while speaking to reporters, said he also told the visiting dignitary about the preparedness of the police in the city.

Bangalore is home to many IT and BT firms, besides defence units and research institutions. The silicon valley of India, which contributes two-thirds of the country's software exports, has been on the terror radar since the last few years.

The Prime Minister has already announced that the Centre would station an NSG unit in the city, a demand being put forth by the state also as part of its initiatives to strengthen security.

Singh is in the city to inaugurate the centenary celebrations of the country's premier scientific research organisation, the Indian Institute of Science. He also dedicated the international centre for material science of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research.