Railways revamps security apparatus to prevent terror attack

Plugging the gaps and illegal entry or exit points near stations is among the priorities of the railways, said a top RPF officer as he stressed that they don’t want another Kasab entering a station and slaying people.The Indian Railways has taken a stern view on illegal entry and exit points near railway stations across its massive network in the country in the past decade.

This mainly comprises boundary walls that are broken and spots close to human settlements. During 26/11 terror attack, Pakistani terrorists entered the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus through one such entry points. They killed 58 people.

“We are preparing a detailed station security plan that includes plugging the illegal entry and exit points into the station. These include the gaps in boundary walls. In the long run, there is a need for thorough access control which is something like the airport where entry/exit points are gated,” Arun Kumar the Director General of Railway Protection Force (RPF) told DNA during a visit to Mumbai on Friday.

The RPF has begun giving upgraded weapons to its quick response teams and anti-terror squads. Officials said they have upgraded the 182 helpline into a 24-hour helpline. The railways has already installed CCTVs inside trains and stations premises.

As an immediate measure 47 stations in Mumbai will get integrated security systems of the 202 stations across India. These stations will have integrated security systems in place where a station will be surrounded by a hi-tech security apparatus.

It includes a web of high-definition CCTVs, hand held devices, door frame devices and baggage scanners among other tech savvy upgrade. On certain stations private agencies will monitor the CCTVs while the RPF staff will be put on patrolling.
In this year’s budget, Mumbai received Rs 54000 crore and with the provision made for security at railway stations; we can expect Rs 135 crore. The Western Railway has already sent request to fund Rs 54 crore for upping security features in their system -  trains, platforms and bridges.

The RPF will be filling 9000 posts for which they received 70 lakh applications so far. Of these, 50 percent posts will be made available for women to patrol inside suburban local trains.

They are also making arrangements that women police personnel will be there inside suburban local trains during night hours.

This article was first published in DNA: Railways revamps security apparatus to thwart terror hits