RAJYA SABHA
ACTION PLAN FOR SAFETY OF PASSENGERS
1408 MS. SAROJ PANDEY
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether Railways have formulated any action plan for the safety of train passengers and for curbing occurrence of criminal incidents; and
(b) if so, the detailed outline of this action plan?
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a) and (b): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) AND (b) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1408 BY MS. SAROJ PANDEY ANSWERED IN RAJYA SABHA ON 12.02.2021 REGARDING ACTION PLAN FOR SAFETY OF PASSENGERS
(a) and (b): Indian Railways is committed to provide secure, safe and comfortable journey to all its passengers. Provision of security, safety and other facilities to passengers is a continuous process and every endeavour is made to ensure these to railway passengers. Following steps are taken for security of passengers by Railways:-
(i) On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, trains are being escorted by Railway Protection Force (RPF) in addition to trains escorted by Government Railway Police (GRP) of different States daily.
(ii) Surveillance is kept through Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, provided at about 668 stations including 164 stations under Integrated Security Scheme (ISS) and 2931 coaches over Indian Railways to ensure safety and security of passengers.
(iii) Help Line 139 is operational over Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
(iv) Anti sabotage checks are undertaken with sniffer dogs at all major stations as well as in trains.
(v) Baggage scanners, Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMD), Hand Held Metal Detectors (HHMD) among other security gadgets are being used for screening passenger and their baggages.
(vi) Close liaison is made by the Railways with the State Police/GRP authorities, Central & State Intelligence agencies and Civil authorities at all levels for prevention and detection of crime and maintenance of law & order in Railway premises as well as on running trains.
(vii) State Level Security Committee for Railways (SLSCR) meetings chaired by Directors General of Police (DsGP) of concerned States/Union Territories (UTs) are being held to review railway security in the concerned State.
(viii) Station Security Plan is being implemented in major railway stations in phased manner for better access control and seamless deployment of security agencies.
(ix) A Pilot Project for biometric queue management in unreserved coaches of major long distance trains has been implemented successfully in Lucknow, Gorakhpur and Churchgate.
(x) Recruitment of 4078 and 298 lady constables and Sub-Inspectors respectively in RPF has been completed increasing the percentage of women in RPF from existing 3% to 9 % , which will go a long way in enhancing security of women passengers. Technology is being used to increase the reach and effectiveness of RPF in the field of security and assistance to passengers.