W. Rlys intensive drive against offenders

Security of the passengers is one of the prime motives of Western Railway and there is no compromise in W.Rly’s efforts to ensure a safe and comfortable journey to its esteemed passengers.

During the last financial year 2016-17, W.Rly’s Security Deptt has taken various initiatives such as installation of CCTV cameras and the recent addition of the TalkBack System in ladies coaches to curb offences and is striving day in and day out to keep such offenders at bay.

As stated by Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway, Ravinder Bhakar, security of the women commuters is one of a prime concern and W.Rly is always striving hard to secure their travelling experience.

Western Railway is going every extra mile to bring smile on their faces, with initiatives such as CCTV cameras being provided in ladies coaches, RPF personnel has been deployed in ladies compartments, etc. Male passengers travelling in Ladies compartment were prosecuted, 16012 cases were registered for travelling in ladies compartment. Fine amounting to Rs.3,30,600/- was realized from the offenders and 14 persons were also sent to jail.

Also Western Rly launched the Talkback Security System on 8th March, 2017 on the occasion of International Women’s Day which is a first of its kind in Indian Railway and installed in ladies coaches to get in touch with guards during an emergency. Trials are being undertaken by W.Rly in order to develop an app called Eye Watch App to send SOS alerts during any untoward incidents or emergency.

Bhakar also informed that Western Railway holds the distinction of running the world’s first ladies special train over the Mumbai Suburban Section. Bhakar also stated that in the year 2016-17, 225 Nos of passenger related offences were detected by the RPF. 11 cases of robbery were detected and handed over to GRP concerned. 206 cases of Theft of Passenger Belongings were detected. 2 drugging cases were detected by RPF staff and handed over to GRP for further legal action. 2 cases of crime against women were detected and handed over to GRP for further necessary action. 4 cases of impassionate were detected by RPF/WR and handed over to GRP.

Similarly, 161 cases of contraband goods were detected during the year 2016-17, in which 194 packages valued Rs.1,07,96,809/- were seized with arrest of 195 outsiders.

Bhakar also informed that 1,88,588 cases were registered under various section of Railways Act in which fine amounting to Rs.4,94,84,993/- fine was realized. Left over luggage valued at Rs.1,23,83,726/- were returned to passengers/ owners through Helpline 182 & through information received from co-passengers. 667 minors found at station premises/trains over Western Railway were handed over to their parents/relatives or to Child Helpline. 152 cases under Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act were detected with recovery of stolen railway material valued at Rs.10,94,639/- and 285 criminals were arrested.

588 cases were registered against touts for carrying on illegal business of procurement and sale of Rail tickets in which 700 persons were arrested, wherein the total value of tickets seized amounted to Rs.1,28,84,810/-. 1532 cases were registered for unauthorized ‘Alarm Chain Pulling’ in which a fine of Rs.8,71,610/- was realized. 27,181 cases were registered against unauthorized hawkers and a fine of Rs.1,27,76,348/- was realized.

414 cases were registered against offenders for crossing LC gates during drives conducted and a fine of Rs.65,300/- was realized. Action against drivers for unauthorized parking of taxi/auto rickshaw was initiated, 15665 cases were registered and an amount of Rs.20,81,075/- was realized and a person was also sent to jail. 44,337 were registered against persons who travelled in coaches reserved for handicapped persons/reserved coaches. 41 persons were sent to jail and an amount of Rs.1,10,38,000/- was realized as fine.

24461 cases were registered during the drives conducted against foot board and roof top travelers in trains whereas a fine of Rs.42,49,300/- was realized and 10 persons sent to jail. Similarly, urchins & beggars in railway premises were also apprehended.

During such drives, 1770 urchins/beggars were apprehended and a fine of Rs.10,51,450 has been realized and 11 persons were sent to jail. Bhakar informed that during the year 2016-17, 27,676 cases under the Cigarettes and Tobacco Product Act 2003 were detected over Western Railway and amount of Rs.38,82,320 was realized as fine and deposited in railway earnings.

19 items of Bomb detection and disposal equipment set have been procured and allotted to all the 6 divisions of Western Railway. 1486 Nos of CCTV cameras have been installed at all important stations over WR. There are 22 dogs present in the Dogs Squad and 2 pups are undergoing training. Security Helpline No.182 have been introduced all over Western Railway. RPF staff are constantly monitoring the control room round the clock. During the year 2016-17 total 1068 Nos of calls were received and same were attended and provided with necessary assistance.