As terror threat looms large over the national Capital following the Brussels bloodbath on Tuesday, Delhi division of Northern Railways has not only heightened security but also introduced special trains and better facilities at the railway stations on Holi.
The Railway department has decided to bring 826 trains for summer rush which is expected to begin from Holi festival. In order to ensure passengers convenience, 60 additional coaches have been provided in various trains. The Holi Special trains planned this year include Suvidha trains and Express Special trains for popular destinations such as Katihar, Darbhanga, Patna, lucknow, Barauni, Chandigarh, Saharanpur, Allahabad, Gorakhpur, Pune and Mumbai.
Besides, from the express trains, Northern Railway would also run extra passenger trains such as Jammu-Pathankot DEMU Specials and Ghaziabad-Aligarh EMU Specials.
Other than this, dog squad of the RPF has also been put on alert to do multiple rounds of the platforms in a day. Quick Response Team vehicles armed with light-machine gun have been deployed at the stations, they said.
Officials said pickets with armed men have been raised at entry points and vehicles are being scanned thoroughly. Parking and circulating areas are also being taken care of. Senior officer from the Railway Ministry inspected the railway station on Wednesday taking a stock of the situation. Senior officials said frequent and regular announcements about introduction of special trains for the festive season. Additional counters have also been set up at stations dealing with additional rush like New Delhi and Delhi Junction.
Squads of Commercial and ticket checking staff/vigilance inspectors would be formed to organise special surprise check to curb the activities of anti-social elements and to organise special checks to detect various frauds like touts, transfer-of-ticket cases.
“35 special trains are being run. Almost 60 trains have extra coaches. As a huge number of people are travelling by train we have put extra counters for ticket booking purpose. Senior officers are regularly conducting inspections to monitor the entire situation,” said Niraj Sharma, Chief Public Relation Officer, Northern Railways.