New Delhi

Delhi’s railway stations put on high alert

NEW DELHI: Following the terror unleashed by suspected terrorists at Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai on Wednesday night, Northern Railway has acted swiftly by tightening security at all major stations here in the Capital.

“As soon as news of CST coming under attack became known, we immediately rushed to the station and began briefing our security personnel at the stations and putting them on high alert,” a senior Railway Protection Force official said on Thursday.

According to Additional DCP (Railways) Bhairon Singh, the security measures undertaken through coordinated efforts of Northern Railway, Railway Protection Force and Delhi Police include deployment of commandos and additional security personnel at all access points to the stations, increased surveillance checks and stationing of bomb disposal squads at the stations to avoid delay in arriving at the site in case of a mishap.

“Round-the-clock vigil is also being maintained by security forces at the stations,” he added.

A senior RPF official said: “Apart from effectively manning all access points to the station we have also intensified luggage checking through hand held and metal door detectors and dog squads. Quick Reaction Teams equipped with light weapons and bullet proof jackets have also been deployed at the stations for high-profile patrolling.”

“We have diverted our security staff from routine anti-theft measures towards anti-sabotage checks and all leave of security personnel has been cancelled. We are also sensitising the local staff in the railway station area such as train ticket examiners and coolies to alert the authorities in case they spot any suspicious or unclaimed object lying about in the station premises,” he added.

According to the RPF, a total of 172 security staff have been deployed at New Delhi railway station which sees a footfall of over one lakh passengers per day and has a total of five access points. Similarly Old Delhi station has been provided 172 officers to take charge of the five access points.

In addition, New Delhi station which currently boasts of 46 closed-circuit television cameras is being augmented with more. More CCTV sets are also being added to Old Delhi railway station and Hazrat Nizammudin within the next 15 days.

However, according to railway security experts there is scope for improving security at stations by increasing the manpower and funding to bring new technology for scanning luggage, better structural security measures such as fencing and better illumination.

The senior RPF official said: “At both the New Delhi and Old Delhi railway stations though there is a boundary wall it is not in continuity which is a big security threat. Moreover, trains have to run on fixed routes and tracks making our task more difficult. Each of the four main stations in Delhi has just one X-ray scanner for luggage whereas a minimum of two are required at each station considering the volume of passenger traffic and increased terrorist threat perception.”

“We also require doubling of security staff. A proposal tabled four years ago to strengthen train escorting services was sidelined by the Home Ministry which is responsible for improving and reviewing the security of trains and ensuring better training of security personnel. I hope that now with the shifting of focus to terrorist activities, the present railway security system will get a much needed shot in the arm,” he added. Meanwhile, even in the face of terror attacks at the CST in Mumbai, Northern Railway spokesperson R. Saxena said there had been no fall in train bookings and that all trains were running as per schedule since Wednesday. “We are providing our inputs in drafting the security plan for the stations in consultation with other stakeholders.” .

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