After augumenting staff at its headquarters, hospitals and other offices, the PCMC is now contemplating issuing e-gatepass to citizens at its Pimpri office. If its plans takes effect, a citizen will have to show an e-gatepass before being allowed inside the four-storey building. Though the PCMC has not finalised the e-gatepass system so far, it has already taken steps towards that end.

It has recently installed a demonstration machine at the entry point of its headquarters. "It is a trial machine, we have not decided anything about purchasing it," said assistant municipal commissioner Sudhakar Deshmukh who looks after the security aspect of the civic body. "But we intend to implement such a system to ensure safety and security of our offices. The final decision about from whom to buy the machine will be taken by the municipal commissioner and civic general body," Deshmukh said.

Security incharge Ashok Dalvi said they have 70 security personnel manning the PCMC headquarters. "Eight to 10 of them are at entry point to the headquarters. They have been provided with hand-held metal detectors," he said, adding that his department has also requested the administration to provide them with walkie-talkies.

Dalvi said the new machine installed at the entry point to the PCMC headquarters is a much-needed step. "Currently, the trial run is on. It takes a few seconds to issue an e-gatepass," he said. However, Dalvi fears that there might be chaos at the door if too many people land up.

"But I am once names of citizens who regularly visit the headquarters are fed into the machine, next time when the come it won't take much time to issue them the e-gatepass," he said.