After getting used as a tool for terrorist hitting out at state, the Indian railways has now decided to pull up its sleeves and increase intelligence around the train stations. The hi-tech instruments like close circuit camera TVs are also being thought of to track all the activities on railway stations.
Union minister of state for railways R Velu, who inaugurated the 17th international railway safety conference in Goa on Monday, told reporters that Indian railways have taken up cudgels to ensure that the services are not used by the terrorists for their nefarious activities.
150 representatives from 17 countries are participating in this conference which is an annual feature and is being held in India for the first time since its beginning in 1990. International experts will deliberate on railway security during the conference.
“We are considering this as an important aspect of railway security. We are upgrading the technology by installing close circuit cameras and pressing in sniffer dogs. The X-ray machines would be installed at sensitive railway stations,” Velu who addressed press in presence of railway safety board member V N Mathur, stated.
The minister said that intelligence around the railway stations is being improved to avert any untoward incident.
The railway protection is managed by 64,000 railway protection force (RPF) and 30,000 government railway police across the country.
The ministry also intends to educate the force on aspects of terrorism activities and protecting women passengers on board.
The railway officials feel that India’s railway safety figures are best compared to rest of the world.
“Accidents have come down from 0.65 accidents per million train kilometers in 2001-02 to 0.23 in 2006-07 in 2006-07. We intend to bring it down to 0.23 by next year,” Mathur stated.
He stated that special stress is laid on the railway safety in India with creation of special fund comprising of two-third allotment from general budget while one third by railways.
Courtesy:mangalorean
