Gapsinsecurity atmostrailway stationsincitycontinuetoexist
Integrated Security System not installed; no bomb detection squads yet
closed circuit televisions (CCTV) have been installed at important railway stations. Other security equipment include handheld devices, door frame metal detectors (DFMD), under vehicle surveillance scanners (UVSS) and baggage scanners at the stations.
“Introducing CCTV cameras at the stations has helped not just in solving railway crimes, but also in solving crimes, which have occurred outside railway premises. ISS at railway stations had a deterrent effect as with the help of it, criminal profiling is also being undertaken. UVSS on important stations helps us in identifying every vehicle and a complete inspection of the vehicles entering the stations,” said Sachin Bhalode, senior divisional security commissioner, CR.
However, bomb detection and disposable squad (BDDS) teams, which were to be located at the stations identified as crucial, are yet to be formed. Every station also does not have the promised control room.
“The delay in introducing the system entirely is because of the lengthy procedure of procurement. Formation of BDDS teams is underway and training of our personnel will soon start,” said a senior Railway Protection Force (RPF) official.
Passengers have pointed out that many of the machines introduced for security are non-functional most of the time. “Despite presence of metal detectors, metal objects are taken inside trains,” said Subhash Gupta, president of Rail Yatri Parishad.
Even as the first phase of ISS is underway at suburban railway stations in the city, Indian Railways has now started working on phase two. This includes controlling access points to railway stations. The deadline to complete the survey of access points is March 2019.
The railways is also working on syncing bio metric and bio data of anti-social elements from Government Railway Police (GRP) and city police.