Hotel Security: A Critique of the Taj

Reader Randy Bell writes in with a disturbing look at the pre-siege Taj:

I visited Mumbai in early October, staying at the Taj for 10 days. My room was in the tower (11th floor, overlooking the Gateway of India) and, upon reflection, and I realized that in the event of a terrorist siege, I might have had no choice but to have barricaded myself in my room and hoped for either God or rescue.

Although my room had a balcony, access was restricted as hotel staff had screwed the door shut in order to maintain environmental (heat and dirt) controls (as I enjoy the occasional cigar, I asked for access to the balcony and the staff removed the screws). Additionally, all of the tower balconies are screened-in with rather heavy (shrapnel resistant?) wire mesh. I wonder if the 2003 bombing across the street at the Gateway of India had anything to do with this precaution.

Needless to say, an expeditious escape would have been very problematic without prior planning (plus a good multi-tool, luck  and 150' of rappelling rope). Escape from the Taj would have been greatly complicated by measures put in place in the interest of security and environmental control.

Btw, physical security measures at the time of my visit were cursory at best, although the security level was "heightened" due to bombings in Mumbai, both immediately prior to, and during, my visit. There were metal detectors and package inspections in the courtyard in front of the lobby, but the "security" was maintained by hotel staff dressed in rent-a-cop uniforms. I did not see an armed guard or policeman on the grounds during my stay. No doubt that last week's terrorists knew that there would be no resistance.