How protocol changed after 2001

Wedge barricades on all arterial roads leading to Parliament, RF tags for cars, crowd control barricades in key corridors, photo identity passes for visitors, and CCTVs were among the new security measures adopted after the deadly terror attack inside Parliament complex in December 2001 that left eight security personnel dead.

"It was a complete overhaul of the security apparatus in the Parliament complex," said a senior official who was part of the secretariat in 2001. "After Indira Gandhi's assassination, the Parliament complex was secured and outside vehicles were not allowed to use the last stretch of the Sansad Marg, where the old Parliament building stood," added this person, who asked not to be named.

That was considered adequate, but the terror attack inside Parliament complex on December 13, 2001, changed everything. Following the attack, only three gates were kept open for authorised vehicles. Two others - the terrorists had used one of these were closed.