Parliament House Complex to get security upgrade as CPWD invites bids worth Rs 14.64 cr
New Delhi (PTI): The Parliament House Complex will undergo a comprehensive security enhancement, featuring the installation of an electric power fence, a fiber optic-based Perimeter Intrusion Detection System (PIDS) and a CCTV surveillance network integrated with a centralised video management system (VMS).
The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has floated a tender to implement the project, which is estimated to cost around Rs 14.63 crore. The last date to submit the bid is September 18.
According to the tender document, the video integration between the perimeter electrical fence solution and CCTV should be strictly seamless and fully cover cases of "multiple intrusions."
The project is expected to be completed in four months from the date of start.
"The scope of work includes dismantling existing power fencing and associated accessories, SITC of New Electric Power fencing, optical fibre-based PIDS, integrated CCTV surveillance system with VMS and perimeter lights for boundary of Parliament House Complex of required zone lengths and seamless integration of all these systems with each other.
"Work includes SITC (Supply, Installation, Testing, and Commissioning) of poles/posts including foundation, cabling, earth work etc as required. The design of poles and posts is required to be got approved from PSS/CPWD," it stated.
The CPWD, a prime construction agency of the Central government, said that there are visits of dignitaries and events at times and hence, the work is required to be executed in such a manner that no disturbance is caused to the occupants as well as no hindrance is caused to their working.
All electrical and network/data connection for all gadgets/equipment including supply and fixing of channels/conduits, wire, cables and interconnection cable from existing electrical distribution box/ electrical panel /network switches installed in the vicinity shall be in the scope of works, the document states.
It said that high tensile rust-free GI wires should be used as fence wire, adding that audio hotter will be installed.
Hooter output should be not less than 85dB with horizontal mounting. One hooter should be installed near CMS area, the CPWD said in its tender document.
"The site is having strict security restrictions where the work is to be executed by the contractor. Due to high security area, there may be some times some restrictions on working hours/days for which the contractor shall be intimated then and there and no claim shall be entertained for idle labour if any.
"No claim whatsoever will be entertained by the department on account of any other restrictions imposed by the security agencies, occupants & the client department. The loss of time on this account shall have to be made up by generating additional resources without any extra claim on the department on this account," it stated.
Last month, a 20-year-old man attempted to scale a wall of Parliament, but was caught by security personnel and handed over to police.
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Trump rushed out of dinner event after shots fired; one arrested
Washington (PTI): US President Donald Trump and other top White House officials were evacuated unharmed from the annual dinner of White House correspondents after a man armed with multiple weapons fired shots outside the ballroom of the hotel.
The incident took place at around 8:34 PM local time when dinner was served. At that time, Trump was seen having a conversation with Weijia Jiang, the President of the White House Correspondents' Association, and mentalist Oz Pearlman, who was scheduled to present a show at the marquee event at the Washington Hilton here.
Secret Service officials and other security personnel covered the President, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J D Vance, and the Second Lady Usha Vance, who were seated at the head table, and escorted them out of the ballroom.
Several guests at the dinner, including leaders across the political spectrum, journalists and other invitees, ducked under the table, apparently as a reflex reaction.
Putting up a brave face, President Trump later announced on Truth Social that the dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days.
“Boom, boom, boom, boom is all that I heard, and many guests ducked under the table,” a C-SPAN reporter at the dinner said.
Hours later, Trump addressed a press conference at the White House and announced that the security personnel had captured one person who hails from California.
“I heard a noise and sort of thought it was a tray going down. I've heard that many times. It was a pretty loud noise, and it was from quite far away. He (the attacker) hadn't reached the area at all. They really got him,” Trump told reporters, recalling the incident.
Trump said one security officer was shot at but saved as he was wearing a bulletproof vest.
Several protestors had lined up on the road outside the hotel, raising slogans against the Trump administration and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
A CNN reporter who was outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton said he saw a gunman opening fire just a few feet away. He was among the dozens of attendees who took cover as law enforcement swarmed the venue.
The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California.
Asked how Saturday’s incident impacts him as the US president, Trump told reporters he is in a dangerous job but that he is no “basket case.”
“I like not to think about it. I lead a pretty normal life, considering, you know, it’s a dangerous life. I think I handle it as well as it can be handled,” Trump said.
Trump has survived two assassination attempts over the past two years – first at a presidential election campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, and later in Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024.
“I will say you had Republicans, Democrats, independents, conservatives, liberals, and progressives...everybody in that room, big crowd, record-setting crowd,” he said.
“We had some great work done by law enforcement, but in light of this evening's events, I ask that all Americans recommit with their hearts in resolving our differences peacefully,” Trump said.
