Heightening patrolling, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is maintaining a strict vigil in trains and at railway stations during the high traffic festival season of Diwali and Chhath Puja.

Additional personnel from the Railway Security Special Force have been deployed at all major stations even as the railway administration appealed to passengers to refrain from carrying inflammable and explosive materials like firecrackers during their journey.

Seeking cooperation from citizens, the railway authorities said that any suspicious activity or materials should immediately be reported to the on-duty staff.

The heightened RPF measures coming into force ahead of the peak festival season include patrolling by teams from the RPF and the Government Railway Police (GRP) on trains and stations to prevent any untoward incidents.

Stringent surveillance through monitoring of CCTV footage is being maintained at all railway stations for early identification of suspicious and materials.

The Railway Security Force is conducting checks at stations using dog squads and metal detectors.

During these checks, action is also being taken under provisions of Section 164 of the Railway Act.

The Railway Protection Force has urged passengers to refrain from bringing fireworks and flammable materials onto trains for their own safety and that of others.

If they observe any passengers travelling with suspicious items, they should immediately inform the Railway Protection Force or the railway helpline number 139.The stringent measures are meant to ensure a safe comfortable travel experience for passengers through the peak railway traffic season.