Lok Sabha Question No. 1839 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Safety and Security in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Anil Firojiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1839 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## SAFETY AND SECURITY IN RAILWAYS

†1839.  SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  a  need  to  introduce  FIR  system  in  the  Railway network;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any concrete steps are being taken to make rail journey a safe journey;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the objective of Railway Protection Force (RPF) should be zero tolerance for crime; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1839 BY SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 21.09.2020 REGARDING SAFETY AND SECURITY IN RAILWAYS

(a) to (f): Policing on Railways being a State subject, prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law & 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)/District Police. However, Railway Protection  Force (RPF)  supplements  the  efforts  of  GRP  to  provide  better protection  and  security  of  passenger  area  &  passengers  and  for  related matters.

States are having different mechanisms for lodging of FIR and registration of crimes.  However, to facilitate travelling passengers in running trains to report a crime, First Information Report (FIR) forms are available with TTE, Guard  or  RPF/GRP  train  escorting  staff.    After  filling  the  Form  may  be handed over to one of the said officials for registration of the case at the next Police Station irrespective of the jurisdiction for taking cognizance on it.  If the place of occurrence does not fall in their jurisdiction, the case is registered  under  Zero  FIR  and  transferred  to  the  concerned  Government Railway  Police  Station  having  jurisdiction.    Further  course  of  action  is taken by the Police as per extant legal provisions.

Regular coordination is made 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. Following measures are being taken by the Railways in coordination with Government  Railway Police to ensure safety and security of passengers including women passengers:-

1. On  vulnerable  and  identified  routes/sections,  trains  are  escorted  by Railway  Protection  Force  daily  in  addition  to    trains  escorted  by Government Railway Police of different States daily.

2. Security Help Line number 182 is operational over Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
3. Through  various  social  media  platforms  viz.  twitter,  facebook  etc., Railways are in regular touch with passengers to enhance security and to address their security concern.
4. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate  passengers  to  take  precautions  against  theft,  snatching, drugging etc.
5. An  Integrated  Security  System  (ISS)  consisting  of  surveillance  of vulnerable stations through Close Circuit Television (CCTV) Network, Access  Control  etc.  has  been  sanctioned  to  improve  surveillance mechanism over 202 railway stations.
6. For better security of passengers existing vacancies in RPF have been filled up.  Recruitment drives have been initiated for various ranks to fill up the existing vacancies.  During the ongoing recruitments, 1121 Sub-Inspectors (executive), 8619 Constables (executive) & 798 Constable  (Ancillary)  vacancies  were  notified.    The  recruitment  has been  completed  and  total  1121  Sub-Inspectors  (executive),  8543 Constables  (executive)  and  796  Constables  (Ancillary)  in  RPF/RPSF have been empanelled.
7. Fixed  CCTV  Cameras  have  been  provided  in  2688  coaches  and  627 Railway stations  for enhancing security of passengers.
8. Drives are conducted from time to time against the entry of unauthorized persons in trains and railway premises.
9. State  Level  Security  Committee  of  Railways  (SLSCR)  have  been constituted  for  all  State/Union  Territories  under  the  Chairmanship  of respective  Director  General  of  Police/  Commissioner  of  States/Union Territories for regular monitoring and review of security arrangements of the Railways.

Further, close liaison is made by Railways with the State Police/GRP authorities at all levels for prevention of crime, registration of cases, their  investigation  and  maintenance  of  law  and  order  in  Railway premises as well as on running trains.

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