Jose K Joseph
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: In a major security lapse, Survey of India (SI) has kept sensitive documents and Global Positioning System (GPS) at its unoccupied building in Khandagiri under the watch of just one security guard.
Significantly, the building has been unoccupied for the last three years and reflects the organisation’s apathy towards a property worth crores. Although there is a board in front of the locked gate warning trespassers, the lone guard is unlikely to be of any use in case someone tries to sneak in.
According to sources, three years back about 10 officials worked out of the building but they were later shifted to the Survey of India office at Jayadev Vihar. Currently, all Survey of India employees are based at the same office.
Its deputy director, Bhubaneswar, BC Parida, refused to divulge details about the documents stored in the Khandagiri building but added that two officials visit it every week.
“Some of the papers are classified documents just like that of the defence ministry so I cannot speak about their nature. At least two officials visit the building once in a week to take the reading from the instruments,” said Parida.
When asked about the building’s security where such sensitive documents are kept, he claimed that they are in touch with the Khandagiri police station.
However, inpector in charge (IIC) of Khandagiri police station Sarat Kumar Sahoo denied any knowledge about the same.
“Till this date we have not received any security request for the building at Khandagiri,” said Sahoo. The police station is located about 800 metres from the building.
Unfortunately, the building does not even have a CCTV camera.
“Apart from the two security guards who work in shifts, I have not seen any other security officials,” said a local, Manmath Nayak.
Central Public Works Department had constructed the building 20 years ago but it has not carried out any maintenance work since then.
“We have not received any maintenance requests or other complaints about the building at Khandagiri,” confirmed CPWD executive engineer Surendra Kumar.
Although the building is in a good condition, experts say the department must install CCTV cameras and ensure that all the classified documents are safe as it can lead to a major security breach.