Intensifying its vigil at the Jammu Railway Station after the serial blasts on Mumbai trains, the Railway Protection Force here has decided to rope in porters.

This is for the first time that coolies are being involved in surveillance exercises. Around 150 porters are being trained by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) on how to keep a close vigil at the railway station. ‘‘Now the porters will have to ensure that no baggage enters the railway station without a security check at the main gate,’’ an RPF official said.

‘‘If these porters ensure no baggage is taken inside the station without security check, then it reduces the risk of smuggling of any suspicious material,’’ said Post Commander, RPF, Jammu Railway Station, D C Arya.

He added that to ensure cooperation of porters, awareness workshops will be held in which they will be taught how to detect a suspicious object and person. Decision to seek the help of porters in keeping a close watch over any suspicious activity was taken in the wake of their better surveillance ability and their round-the-clock presence at the station.

Sources said that instructions have been passed to all porters working at the station to be alert and vigilant to thwart any militant strike.

‘‘Security is the collective responsibility of passengers and all those working in the railway station. By helping security forces, the porters will not only save their own lives, but others also,’’ said a senior RPF official.

Other steps have also been taken to beef up security at the Jammu Railway Station. Earlier, to avoid confusion in identification of militants, the Crime and Railway Department of Jammu and Kashmir Police had written to the paramilitary force personnel not to wear uniform at the railway station. Besides, four sniffer dogs are being deployed to detect any hidden explosives.