In a bid to avert bomb blasts, the railways has decided to form its own Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS). According to sources, the work on the Central Railway’s (CR) bomb squad is in its final stages and the Western Railway (WR) would soon send its officers to learn how to dispose of the explosives.

The railways has always been a soft target for terrorists and blasts in trains and stations have claimed as many as 300 lives in the city since 2003. More than 6.8 million people travel in the local train everyday.

According to B S Sidhu, chief security commissioner, CR, a 10-member team of Railway Protection Force (RPF) have been undergoing training and the bomb squad would be formed in next two-three months.

“We already have a detection squad and they were given training in Pune last year. Now, we have to learn the techniques of disposing of bombs and the training will be given at Mussoorie and Hyderabad,” said a senior RPF official.

According to RPF officials, equipment like bomb suits and blankets will also be given to BDDS personnel to protect them from any explosion. Last week, the WR had bought five vapour and particle tracers at a cost of Rs 75 lakh to detect narcotics and explosives. The railways is also upgrading itself with equipment like electronic stethoscope, remote wire cutter and thermal cutters, which would help them dispose of the explosives.

“In case we get hoax calls, we deploy our dog squad or ask the Mumbai police for help. We have also trained our ground level staff to act accordingly when we get calls or alerts. After its inception, the BDDS will detect bombs and explosives on the railway premises and dispose of them,” said Sidhu.

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