Steers to top with best possible security arrangements through modern technology
Western Railway is all set to celebrate its 69th Foundation
Day on 5th November, 2019. As a strong medium of public transport WR not only
serve the financial capital of the country but also has benefited the Nation in
its financial and industrial development and played a vital role in national
integration.
Through Western Railway’s rail services and facilities, it
has connected many places and hearts which has brought people closer in social
togetherness and created a sense of national integrity among all. On its 69th
Foundation Day let’s look at the many achievements and milestones Western
Railway has achieved in all these years in an informative series which focus on
Western Railway’s contribution in the field of security. With technological
advancements at a fast pace, Western Railway’s Railway Protection Force and the
Government Railway Police have also incorporated newer and modern ways to
impart best security services to its valued passengers.
According to a press release issued by WR CPRO Ravinder
Bhakar, since its inception on 5th November, 1951, Western Railway has made
special efforts to strengthen the Government Railway Police (GRP) and its
Railway Protection Force (RPF) to protect and safeguard railway property and to
combat crime against it.
Western Railway has recently carried out special operations
such as “Operation Thunder”, “Operation Storm”, “Operation Thirst”, “Operation
Hunt”, “Operation Number Plate” and “Operation Tatkal”, with great zeal and
enthusiasm. It has resulted in arresting touts, offenders, seizure of tickets,
sub-standard water bottles and action against vehicles parked more than their
stipulated time. RPF has made patrolling for effective train escorting in
Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains.
A total of 152 passenger trains are being escorted by RPF,
fully equipped with modern gadgets such as Body Worn Cameras, Arms and
Ammunition, Over Mumbai Suburban section, 10 ladies special trains and 12 AC
local trains are escorted by RPF. All ladies coaches of Mumbai Suburban trains
are also escorted by GRP/Maharashtra during the night hours.
Currently over the Mumbai Suburban section, 552 RPF and 220
Maharashtra Security Force (MSF) staff deployed for Crowd Management at busy
and heavily crowded stations. 18 vulnerable Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) have been
identified by the team. RPF Mitras have been involved in crowd regulation
with RPF and GRP. Monsoon Help Desks have been installed at 13 stations for
senior citizens and Divyang passengers during monsoon season.
A WhatsApp group was also created for speedy communication
and to take precautionary action during monsoon. The RPF and GRP also conducts
mock drills along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) regularly at
major stations. At present, 19 segways have been provided at major stations for
force multiplier and effective real time patrolling. 32 sniffer dogs have been
deployed for random checking in passenger areas.
In a bid to improve better community relations, to ensure
accountability of an on duty officer and staff, to prevent false complaints
against staff and to streamline evidence collection, RPF has introduced Body
Worn Camera Video system over Western Railway for RPF Train Escort Party and
platform duty officers. RPF has also played an instrumental role in returning
valuables and luggage to hundreds of passengers year after year. In 2019-20
alone, more than 400 children and 37 ladies have been rescued and reunited with
family or handed over to NGOs or the police.
Child Help Desk have been provided at seven stations of
Western Railway, Mumbai Central, Bandra Terminus, Surat, Vadodara, Ahmedabad,
Ratlam and Rajkot stations. The proposal for additional 15 Child Help Desk
is under process at Anand, Nadiad, Godhara, Indore, Ujjain,
Ambedkarnagar, Meghnagar, Dahod, Surendranagar, Morvi, Jamnagar,
Porbandar, Junagadh, Botad, Bhavnagar stations.
The brave and alert RPF staff have saved 22 lives this year
alone who had fallen in the gap of platform and train without thinking about their
own lives. 1267 Walkie-Talkie sets are effectively used for better
communication in group instead of mobile phone. Baggage Scanners installed at
major stations like Churchgate, Mumbai Central (M), Dadar, Borivali, Surat.
Four biometric token machines have also been introduced at major stations to
make travel in general class hassle free. Every Western Railway Division is
equipped with one set of Bomb Detection Equipment.1533 CCTV cameras at 107
stations are effectively used for prevention and detection of passenger crime
and cleanliness at stations.
The RPF has also played a vital role in conducting regular
awareness programmes to educate passengers about the All India Helpline No. 182
and awareness against not eating eatable items from strangers or passengers to
prevent drugging incident.
Other than these achievements and accolades of Western
Railway’s RPF, the RPF has also rescued human lives in extreme flood situations
and distributed food packets and other necessary objects in such tough times.
The Proposal for procurement of a UAV Drone for monitoring safety and security
of Railway Tracks from Churchgate to Borivali is under process.
RPF has also created its own Cyber Cell to track down dubious
online activity and to catch hold of criminal offences online. Modern Gadgets
are issued and Revamping of SIB & CIB units is done to enhance the security
of Passengers for their hassle free travel and as per the expectation of
Railway Administration.