Lok Sabha Question No. 2886 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Strength of Railway Protection Force
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Amol Ramsing Kolhe, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Supriya Sadanand Sule, Ramcharan Bohra, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2886

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## STRENGTH OF RAILWAY PROTECTION FORCE

2886.

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL:

SHRI RAMCHARAN BOHRA:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  sanctioned  and  actual  strength  of  the  Railway  Protection Force  (RPF)  including  women  constables  along  with  their  deployment, zone-wise;
- (b) whether many posts of Railway Protection Force is still vacant and not filled, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c)            whether Railway Protection Force has been able to achieve the objective of protecting and security of railway property, if so, the details thereof and if not, the corrective steps being taken in this regard;
- (d)            whether  the  Government  has  approved  setting  up  of  one Commando Training Center under Works Programme of Railways;
- (e)              if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  identified  suitable  and adequate land for setting up of the Commando Training Center, if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the steps being taken/proposed to be taken to strengthen RPF during the last three years?

## ANSWER

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

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

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2886 BY DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE, SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL, SHRI RAMCHARAN BOHRA, DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE, SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA, DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S. AND SHRIMATI  SUPRIYA  SULE  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 11.03.2020 REGARDING STRENGTH OF RAILWAY PROTECTION FORCE

- (a) Sanctioned strength of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is 74,830, and 61,869 RPF personnel are on roll. Zone-Wise strength of Women Constables and their deployment details is as under:

| SL. No.    | Zonal Railway Women constable Strength   | Deployment Details                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|------------|------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1.         | 107                                      | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
| 18. Kokan  | 5                                        | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
| 19.        | 1                                        | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
| Total 1634 |                                          | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
|            |                                          | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
|            |                                          | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
|            |                                          | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
|            |                                          | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
|            |                                          | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
|            |                                          | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
|            |                                          | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
|            |                                          | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
|            |                                          | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
|            |                                          | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
|            |                                          | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
|            |                                          | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
|            |                                          | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
|            |                                          | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |
|            |                                          | Central They are deployed duty at passenger train escorting bandobust evictions, special in ladies compartments disabled coaches assistance to checking duties. 2. East Coast 53 3. East Central 50 4. Eastern 121 5. North Central 66 6. North Eastern 76 7. Northeast Frontier 64 8. Northern 170 9. North Western 54 10. South Central 22 11. South East Central 29 12. South Eastern 104 13. Southern 125 14. South Western 37 15. West Central 58 16. Western 93 17. Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) 399 |

In  addition  to  exiting  strength  of  women  RPF  personnel,  4,078  women constables and 298 Sub-Inspectors have been recruited/empanelled and are undergoing training.

(b)  Filling  of  vacancies  is  a  continuous  process  in  Security  Department (Railway  Protection  Force).  These  vacancies  arise  due  to  retirements, promotions, deaths, resignations, etc., the same is filled up through open recruitments  and  departmental  promotions  as  per  the  existing  rules. During  the  last  three  years,  recruitment  drives  have  been  initiated  for various  ranks,  to  fill  up  the  existing  vacancies  and  strengthen  the Railway Protection Force (RPF). During the ongoing recruitments, 1,121 Sub-Inspectors (Executive), 8,619 Constables (Executive) & 798 Constables (Ancillary) vacancies were notified. The recruitment has been completed and total 1,121 Sub-Inspectors, 8,543 Constables (Executive) and 796 Constable (Ancillary) in RPF / RPSF have been empanelled.

(c)  Yes,  Sir.    Railway  Protection  Force  (RPF)  has  been  mandated  for security of Railway Property besides security of passengers & passenger area as per RPF Act, 1957 and amendment in 2003. The cases of theft of railway property (Booked Consignment & Railway Material) are registered  by  RPF  in  the  years  2017,  2018  and  2019  have  shown  a decreasing trend from 4,436 to 4,229 to 3,987 respectively.  Recovery of stolen & misappropriated Railway Property had improved from J 2.48 cr. in 2017 to J 3.12 cr. in 2018 and further to J 4.37 cr. in 2019.

Following  steps  are  being  taken  by  the  Railways  to  prevent  theft  of Railway Property:

- i. All major railway stations, depots, yards and other vital installations  are  manned  by  Railway  Protection  Force  round  the clock.
- ii. Affected  passengers  &  goods  trains  in  vulnerable  sections  are being escorted.
- iii. Railway yards are provided with Tower lights, pathway for patrolling etc.
- iv. Frequent  drives  are  conducted  against  undesirable  elements  in trains and railway premises to prevent such thefts.
- v. Surveillance is being kept through Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras,  provided  at  about  522  Railway  Stations  and  in  2136 coaches over Indian Railways.
- vi. Adequate security measures i.e. picketing, ambush etc. are done at identified black spots from time to time.
- vii. All  cases  of  theft  of  Railway  Property  are  promptly  registered, investigated and arrest of criminals with prosecution as per law is ensured.
- viii. Railway  material  stacks  at  isolated  locations  are  shifted  to  safer places which are manned.
- ix. Crime  Intelligence  Branch  (CIB)  of  RPF  keeps  regular  watch  over the  vulnerable  places  and  collects  intelligence  from  time  to  time about active criminals indulging in theft of Railway Property. Based on  actionable  intelligence  against  receivers  of  stolen  Railway Properties raids are conducted.
- x. Infrastructural  and  procedural  security  arrangements  are  in  place to prevent theft/misappropriation of railway property.
- xi. Regular  co-ordination  meetings  are  conducted  with  Government Railway  Police  (GRP)/Civil  Police  for  collection  and  sharing  of criminal intelligence.
12. (d)
13. Yes, Sir.

(e) & (f)

Indian Railways is committed to provide secure, safe and comfortable journey to all its passengers. Following steps are taken to strengthen RPF for security of passengers:-

1. A Commando Battalion and Commando Training Center is being set up at Jagadhari Workshop, Haryana.
2. 522 stations  have  been  provided  with  CCTV  cameras.  All  Railway Stations and passenger carrying trains are planned to be progressively  provided  with  CCTV  based  surveillance  system  and Wi-Fi facility.
3. An integrated security system is being implemented to strengthen surveillance mechanism  over  sensitive stations of the Indian Railways. The system consists of following four broad areas-
- i. IP based CCTV surveillance system
- ii. Access control
- iii. Personal and baggage screening system
- iv. Bomb Detection and Disposal System
4. Anti sabotage checks are undertaken with sniffer dogs at all major stations as well as in trains. Baggage scanners, Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMD) and Hand Held Metal Detectors (HHMD) are being used for screening passenger and their baggages.
5. 'RPF Security Management System' (RSMS) pilot project has been successfully implemented with networking of 187 locations. Application is being rolled out for networking of all RPF Posts.
6. Training and capacity building facilities are being strengthened.
7. RPF has also been empowered to exercise the powers & perform the  duties  specified  under  section  42  &  67  of  Narcotic  Drugs  and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act since 11.04.2019.
8. All  RPF  Posts  have  been  provided  with  Interoperable  Criminal Justice System (ICJS) access which is integrated with RPF Security Management System.
9. Recruitment of 4,078 and 298 lady constables and Sub-Inspectors respectively  in  RPF  has  been  completed  to  enhancie  security  of women  passengers.  Efforts  are  being  made  to  use  technology  to increase the reach and effectiveness of RPF in the field of security and assistance to passengers.
10. 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.  2019  coaches  have  been  provided  with  Video Surveillance System till date.

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