In order to enhance security system for train passengers, a massive security overhaul is on the anvil in Railways. Security escort teams will be deployed in about 5,000 trains soon. At present, only 1,300 trains of the 11,000 running daily, are being escorted by RPF teams.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel will be equipped with mobile phones to remain connected with passengers. “Our aim is to cover as many as 5,000 trains by RPF escorting teams. We are in the process of recruiting 16,500 RPF personnel by April and we are hoping to cover more trains to be escorted thereafter,” said RPF Director General Krishna Choudhary at a three-day sensitisation programme for escorting personnel.
There are about 11,000 trains running daily of which only a few trains are being provided security escort service. Currently, about 1300 trains are being escorted by RPF while GRP is involved in escorting 2200 trains. Generally four to six personnel are deployed for escorting a train barring Naxal and other sensitive areas where about 20 RPF personnel are involved in the job.
Chaudhary said that each escort party will be given a mobile phone and that phone number will be made known to the passengers of that particular train. Railways is in discussion with mobile service operators to have a special series of number for this purpose.
Northern Railway General Manager Pradeep Kumar said the focus should be on ensuring security of passengers and create fear in the minds of criminals. “Enforcement of the law of the land is essential and for that fear in the minds of criminal for law enforcing agency is necessary as deploying one cop for one man is not possible," he said.