Lumbini reopens today: City’s playpen bristles with security features

Lumbini reopens today: City’s playpen bristles with security features

After the security fright provided by the Dilsukhnagar blasts, Hyderabad’s Lumbini Park will reopen to the public on Wednesday, replete with security measures to thwart terror attacks.

The park was the scene of a gruesome bombing in 2007. On an average, some 5,000 people visit the park every evening. Buddha Purnima Authority (BPA) officer of special duty P Rajender Reddy said the security upgrade was based on inputs provided by the Hyderabad police, who trained the private security personnel employed by the park. The entry and exit points have been shifted. The previous entry point will now be the exit point and vice versa. Vehicles coming from NTR Marg will not be allowed to enter the park opposite the Secretariat. Visitors with vehicles have to enter through the lane next to AP Tourism Department.

At the entry points, there will be four door-frame metal detectors (DFMDs) and hand-held metal detectors to frisk visitors. Women visitors will be ushered into a separate enclosure for firsking.

Six revolving CC cameras have been fixed at vantage points to cover all areas of the park, particularly the laserium. The cameras will be constantly monitored in a control room.

Visitors will not be allowed to take eatables, metal objects, water bottles, large handbags and personal belongings into the park. They will have to leave such items in two cloak room newly built. However, cell phones, cameras, women’s handbags will be allowed.

As part of the security upgrade, new lights have been installed to light up the park adequately. There will be better signage indicating the entry and exit points.

Some 25 private security personnel will man importaint points in the park.

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The New Indian Express
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