Thiruvananthapuram: Railway Protection Force (RPF) Director-General, Arun Kumar on Wednesday reviewed security arrangements in Railway stations and trains across Kerala.
Kumar was in the state capital to chair a conference of RPF personnel in which around 160 members from different ranks participated.
The security provisions at Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam Railway station were also reviewed. The RPF will enhance security at both places by revamping the existing CCTV system by providing IP-based camera, restricting entry and exit to the stations, providing boundary walls, watchtowers, morchas and regulating traffic.
RPF has been organising various drives pan-India basis against touting, sale of spurious water in stations and trains, leased SLR checking and unauthorised parking of vehicles in Railway stations for prolonged periods.
The innovative measures adopted in Thiruvananthapuram division for providing better security like stand-alone solar-powered cameras, IP-based cameras, etc were appreciated by the DG.
He said a thorough analysis was being done on the increasing deaths on railway tracks and that suitable measures would be taken to prevent the same.
Modern security gadgets like body-worn camera, CCTV cameras in trains, providing alert provision in 182 Helpline are being implemented, he said.
In order to enhance the security, 100 new posts would be created in Southern Railway apart from filling the existing vacancies, he said.
A dedicated commando battalion "CORAS" (Commandos for railway security) has been created in RPF for exclusively dealing with Naxals/extremists and other high-risk areas.
Around 10,000 RPF constables, including 4000 women, would be recruited to provide better security to women passengers.
Recently the power to search and seize narcotic substances has been entrusted to RPF.
He said in order to empower RPF, amendments were being made in the Railways Act to register and investigate offences like theft of passenger's belongings, drugging, crimes against women passengers and e-ticket touting.
(With inputs from PTI)
