Date:06/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/06/stories/2006040624060300.htm

New Delhi

No consensus on Metro security proposal

Devesh K. Pandey

Union Home Ministry, however, agrees to procure sophisticated gadgets

NEW DELHI: Though the proposal for creation of a separate force to provide a special security cover to Delhi Metro has been accepted by the Government, there is no consensus over the request for about 3,000 personnel for the job as proposed during a presentation by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) here in the Capital on Monday.

The Union Home Ministry has agreed to procure sophisticated gadgets as suggested by the team that had visited London last December to study the metro rail security there. But it is learnt that its request for about 3,000 personnel for the proposed "Delhi Metro Security Force" is being given a re-think. One of the points raised is that there is a lesser deployment on the London metro network.

The committee that studied the London metro security is of the view that in Delhi security forces are faced with a different scenario and level of threat perception. Unlike London, Delhi is more vulnerable due to factors like easy infiltration through Indo-Nepal border and absence of a check illegal immigrants.

"The U.K. visa regime is very strict. Unlike London, Delhi has congested pockets, which have been used as safe haven by militants," says a senior police officer. The CISF and Delhi police officers held a meeting with Delhi Metro Managing Director E. Sreedharan on Tuesday, reportedly to convince Mr. Sreedharan to support the demand for more security personnel.