Date:21/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/21/stories/2006092103840500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Bomb detection squads in all rail headquarters

Special Correspondent

GUARD OF HONOUR: Thomas Varghese, General Manager, Southern Railway, at the Raising Day Parade of the Railway Protection Force in Chennai on Wednesday. — Photo: V.Ganesan

CHENNAI: Bomb detection and disposal squads will be set up in all railway divisional headquarters in Southern Railway, along with dog squads, as part of the modernisation of the railway protection force, G.M.P. Reddy, Chief Security Commissioner, RPF, Southern Railway, said on Wednesday.

Participating in the 22nd raising day celebrations of the RPF here, he said there was a proposal to install closed circuit TVs in 22 major stations and to procure sophisticated metal detectors for the force. To provide security to passengers, RPF escorts had been posted in 247 trains. More trains would be covered in future.

General Manager Thomas Varghese, who presided over the function, said that after the RPF Act was amended, the RPF's role had changed significantly: now the RPF had to ensure the safety and security of passengers. Earlier, he reviewed the parade and took the salute and presented the Director-General's Insignia and Commendation to seven RPF personnel for their meritorious service.