Lok Sabha Question No. 1370 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Passenger Security and Amenities
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: FAIZAL P.P. MOHAMMED

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1370 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## PASSENGER SECURITY AND AMENITIES

1370.      MOHAMMED FAIZAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status of the railway passenger security and amenities in the country including Kerala;
- (b) whether  the  Railways  has  received  any  letter  from  the  National Human Rights Commission in this regard;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the follow up action taken by the Railways in this regard?

ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS ( SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN )

- (a) to (d):    A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1370 BY MOHAMMED FAIZAL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 23.11.2016 REGARDING PASSENGER SECURITY AND AMENITIES.

(a):  Policing  on  Railways  being  a  State  subject,  prevention  of  crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law and order in  Railway  premises  as  well  as  on  running  trains  are  the  statutory responsibility  of  the  State  Governments,  which  they  discharge  through Government  Railway  Police  (GRP).  However,  Railway  Protection  Force (RPF)  supplements the efforts  of  GRP  by  providing  better  protection  and security  of  passenger  area  and  passengers  and  for  matters  connected therewith. RPF escorts important trains in affected areas and also provide access control duties at important and sensitive stations.

Besides,  the  following  steps  are  also  being  taken  by  the  Railways  to provide security:

1. On  vulnerable  and  identified  routes/  sections,  2500  trains  (on  an average) are escorted by Railway Protection Force daily, in addition to  2200  trains  escorted  by  Government  Railway  Police  of  different States daily.
2. Security  Help  Line  number  182  is  made  operational  over  Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
3. Surveillance  is  kept  through  CCTV  cameras,  provided  at  about  344 stations  over  Indian  Railways,  to  ensure  safety  and  security  of passengers.
4. Joint drives by Commercial Department and RPF are conducted from time to time against the entry of unauthorized persons in trains and railway premises.
5. The  ladies  special  trains  running  in  Metropolitan  cities  are  being escorted by lady RPF constables.
6. Regular  coordination  is  made  by  RPF  with  the  State  Police/  GRP authorities at all levels for prevention of crime, registration of cases, their  investigation  and  maintenance  of  law  &  order  in  Railway premises as well as on running trains.

Indian  Railways  has  more  than  8000  stations.  It  has  always  been  the endeavour of the Railways to provide adequate amenities to the passengers at the stations. Certain amenities are provided at the time of construction  of  new  stations  based  on  anticipated  traffic.  Amenities  are further augmented from time to time with growth in passenger traffic at stations, based on the needs and expectations of the travelling public and the availability of funds. However, upgradation of passenger amenities is a continuous and on-going process.

(b)  to  (d):  No  specific  letter  regarding  present  status  of  the  railway passenger security and amenities in the country including Kerala has been received  from  National  Human  Rights  Commission  (NHRC)  except  the letter  regarding  visit  of  Special  Rapporteur  of  NHRC  for  South  Zone  to Palakkad  Division  of  Southern  Railway  for  review  of  Women's  Safety  on trains and hygiene standard on Railways, in the month of October 2016. No further report has been received from NHRC in this regard.

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