Lok Sabha Question No. 1759 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Security to Train Passengers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Supriya Sadanand Sule, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Amol Ramsing Kolhe

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1759 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2022

## SECURITY TO TRAIN PASSENGERS

## 1759.   SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR. S.:

SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether several incidents of passengers being robbed and looted in running trains have been reported and if so, the number of incidents of  looting  and  robbery  reported  during  the  last  three  years  and  the current year;
- (b)  the reasons for Railway Protection Force (RPF) failing to control/check such incidents;
- (c)   whether RPF are less equipped to deal with such incidents and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)   the corrective steps taken in this regard;
- (e)  the number of RPF personnel deployed in each train for the security of passengers ; and
- (f)  the other steps taken by the Government to provide foolproof security to train passengers so that they can travel safely?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(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.1759  BY  SHRIMATI  SUPRIYA  SULE,  SHRI  KULDEEP  RAI SHARMA, DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE,  DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR. S., SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE AND DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.07.2022  REGARDING SECURITY TO TRAIN PASSENGERS

(a) to (f): 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and, as such, State Governments are responsible  for  prevention,  detection,  registration  and  investigation  of crime and maintaining law and order etc. on Railways through their law enforcement agencies viz. Government Railway Police (GRP)/local Police. However,  Railway  Protection  Force  (RPF)  supplements  the  efforts  of GRP/local  Police  to  provide  better  protection  and  security  of  passenger area and passengers and for matters connected therewith. Cases of crime against  passengers  are  registered  and  investigated  by  the  concerned Government Railway Police under Indian  Penal Code  and other  criminal acts. Based on the data provided by GRP stations, the number of cases of Theft  of  Passengers'  belongings,  Robbery  and  Dacoity  during  the  last three year i.e. 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 (upto June) reported in trains over Indian Railways are as under-

| Year             | Number of Cases registered      | Number of Cases registered   | Number of Cases registered   |
|------------------|---------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|
|                  | Theft of Passengers' belongings | Robbery                      | Dacoity                      |
| 2019             | 32,322                          | 524                          | 28                           |
| 2020             | 10,517                          | 233                          | 7                            |
| 2021             | 15,434                          | 382                          | 13                           |
| 2022 (upto June) | 10,602                          | 274                          | 2                            |

The deployment of RPF personnel in trains is decided based on vulnerability  of  the  concerned  train/  sections,  timings,  location  of  area, threat  perception,  prevailing  crime  situation  and  availability  of  staff. Therefore  the  deployment  of  RPF  in  trains  is  dynamic  and  keeps  on changing from time to time.

Further, the following steps are being taken by the Railways in coordination with GRP for safety and security of passengers in trains:-

1. On  vulnerable  and  identified  routes/sections,  trains  are  escorted  by Railway Protection Force in addition to trains escorted by Government Railway Police of different States daily.
2. For  immediate  assistance  passengers  can  make  complaint  on  Rail Madad  Portal  directly  or  through  Helpline  Number  139  (integrated
2. with National Emergency No. 112).
3. Railways are in regular touch with passengers through various social media platforms like. twitter, facebook, Koo etc. to enhance security of passengers and to address their security concerns.
4. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate passengers and sensitize them to take precautions against theft, snatching, drugging etc.
5. Surveillance is kept through CCTV cameras provided in 5882 coaches in trains and 861 Railway stations for enhanced security of passengers.
6. Under 'Meri Saheli' initiative, focused attention has been provided for safety  and  security  of  lady  passengers  travelling  alone  by  long distance trains for their entire journey i.e. from originating station to destination station.

7. Zonal railways have been instructed for deployment  of proper combined  strength  of  male  &  female  RPF/RPSF  personnel  in  train escort parties, to the extent possible.
8. Drives  are  conducted  against  entry  of  male  passengers  into  the compartments reserved for ladies.
9. Emergency Talk Back System and Closed Circuit Television Surveillance Cameras have been provided in ladies compartments/coaches of all newly manufactured Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) and Air-conditioned rakes of Kolkata Metro. Flasher lights have also been provided in ladies coaches in EMU rakes in some zonal railways.
10. 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.

*****