The Western Railways is planning to approach private agencies to advise on security measures on the suburban train network and Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) to procure security systems like the ones ECIL installed in Parliament House after the December 13, 2001 terror attack.

“What is needed is an integrated security system which enables security agencies to screen people before they reach the railway platforms,” said RPF Chief Security Commissioner (WR) A K Sharma. “We have asked an additional 740 personnel to escort these trains.”

Sharma’s concerns couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time. Not more than 120 RPF men across 28 suburban railway stations on Western Railways, no CCTVs, no dog squads and no doorframe metal detectors either.

Consider these:

• The total deployment of Railways Protection Force (RPF) at suburban stations on Western Railways is around 450 personnel. This staff works in three shifts per day. So technically, there cannot be more than 150 RPF personnel manning these railway stations in one shift.

Add those on leave or absent from duty and the total deployment shrinks to anything between 100-120 personnel at any given time. With 28 railway stations to man, RPF cannot post more than four or five persons per station. And these jawans not only have to perform access control but also keep an eye on the platform.

Senior RPF officials admit that at times, there is not even a single RPF jawan at some of these suburban stations. 7/11 was no different.

... contd.