Lok Sabha Question No. 3857 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Services of Police in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri N K Premachandran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3857

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024

## SERVICES OF POLICE IN RAILWAYS

## 3857. SHRI N K PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government proposes to provide the service of Police in Railways;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  gives  instructions  to  the  Railways  to enhance the strength of Police Force;
- (d)  if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to prevent the crimes in the trains by providing more police in Railways;
- (f)  if so, the details thereof;
- (g) whether the Government has examined the requirement of enhancing the strength of Police in Railways in the light of Soumya murder, if so, the details thereof;
- (h) whether the Government  has received the letter from State Government  of  Kerala  to  give  sanction  to  the  200  posts  created  for Police in Railways;
- (i)  if so, the details of action taken thereon;
- (j)  whether the Government proposes to sanction the same; and

## (k) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (k) 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.

The 50% of the cost of GRP is borne by Railways.

States  are  not  directed  by  Union  Government  to  enhance  their manpower in GRP. However, it is the State Government which assess the requirement and submit its proposal to Railways for    enhancing the manpower  in  GRP  if  such  requirement  arises.  Based  on  requirement, justification, financial implications etc., the proposals are examined by Railways and further decision is taken. In Soumya case, the proposal of State  Government  has  not  been  found  justifiable  and  accordingly decision has been conveyed to State Government.

However, the following steps are being taken by the Railways in of coordination with GRP/Local Police for safety and security 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. For immediate assistance passengers can make complaint on Rail Madad Portal directly or through Helpline Number 139 (integrated with Emergency Response Support System(ERSS) No.112).

3. Railways  are  in  regular  touch  with  passengers  through  various social  media  platforms  viz.  twitter,  facebook,  koo  etc.  to  enhance security of passengers 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. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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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