Lok Sabha Question No. 2332 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Improving Railway Security
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Khan Saumitra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2332 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2022

## IMPROVING RAILWAY SECURITY

## 2332. SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Railways  has  recently  conducted  mock  bomb  blast drills at some major border area railway stations in the country;
- (b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (c) whether  lack  of  coordination  is  reported  from  various  agencies dealing with railway security;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken to improve the security in the railway premises; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. *****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  2332  BY  SHRI  SAUMITRA  KHAN  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  16.03.2022  REGARDING  IMPROVING RAILWAY SECURITY

(a) to (e): '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)/District Police. However, Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of  GRP/District  Police  to  provide  better  protection  and  security  of passenger  area  and  passengers  and  for  matters  connected  therewith. Close  liaison  is  maintained  by  the  Railways  with  the  State  Police/GRP authorities, Central & State Intelligence agencies and civil 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.

Conducting mock bomb blasts drills at major & sensitive railway stations including major border area railway stations by the Security agencies is a continuous  and  routine  process.  All  mock  drills  have  been  conducted successfully  with  full  coordination  with  sister  agencies  to  check  their preparedness. A debriefing session is organized after completion of the mock  drill  wherein  all  the  participants  belonging  to  all  agencies  are explained  their  role  in  mock  drill  in  detail.  The  good  work  as  well  as shortcomings of various stakeholders are outlined so as to finetune the coordination among various agencies to improve collective response in case of any eventuality.

Besides,  the  following  steps  are  also  being  taken  by  the  Railways  in coordination with GRP/Civil Police for safety and security of passengers in trains and at stations:-

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. Railway  Help  Line  number  139  is  operational  (24x7)  over  Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
3. Drives are conducted  from  time  to  time  against the entry of unauthorized persons in trains and railway premises.
4. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to  educate  passengers  to  take  precautions  and  intimate  about suspects/suspected articles or activities to the Police or concerned railway employee.
5. Surveillance  is  kept  through  CCTV  cameras,  provided  at  about  843 Railway stations for enhancing security of passengers.
6. Crime Intelligence Branch (CIB) and Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) of RPF keep regular watch and collect intelligence from time to time about active criminals/suspected persons.
7. Anti Sabotage checks are undertaken with sniffer dogs at all major railway stations and in trains.
8. Use  of  Hand  Held  Metal  Detectors  (HHMD)/  Door  Frame  Metal Detectors (DFMD) for frisking of passengers and Baggage Scanners for checking of luggage at major stations.
9. Quick  Response  Teams  (QRTs)  are  stationed  at  major  stations  to avoid any unusual happening.
10. Through  various  social  media  platforms  viz.  twitter,  facebook  etc., Railways are in regular touch with passengers to enhance security of passengers and to address their security concern.
11. 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.

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