Western Railway’s 69th Foundation Day on 5th November, 2019

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.