7/11: Rlys security plan on paper only

New Delhi, July 11 : Two years after the 7/11 attack, a suburban railway system where not much has changed in terms of security, and a Ministry, which is still dragging its feet on clearing an integrated security plan for important railway stations across the country—including Mumbai’s suburban network — are stark realities for Mumbaikars, particularly for those 6.9 million people who take the local everyday.

Two years after seven blasts ripped apart trains, killing 187 people, the ordeal for Parag Sawant and Amit Singh is far from over. Both these men, in their twenties, are still undergoing treatment in local Mumbai hospitals. Both may have come out of comas, but cannot walk out of the hospital on their own. The only saving grace for their families is the fact that the cost of their treatment is being borne by the Railways, which has already reimbursed more than Rs 65 lakh on their hospital bills.

From putting five of the seven damaged coaches back on track to disbursing compensations worth Rs 25 crore to blast victims and their families, and absorbing 69 people from affected families into railway jobs, Railways has shown the intent and the will to deliver.

But it has failed in executing an effective security system at the 28 suburban stations of the Western Railways despite installing 530 CCTVs, 71 metal detectors and hiring 12 dog squads in addition to the Railways’ five.

A proposal to engage private players on Build Own Operate and Transfer-basis to provide equipment for security and explosive detection and disposal are still being “discussed” in the corridors of Rail Bhavan. “Private players are lining up to install, operate and maintain the security apparatus. However, the Railway Board is yet to decide on the policy,” a senior railway official told The Indian Express.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF), meanwhile, has some reason to cheer. Responding to its RPF Mitra (Friend) scheme, which envisages involving rail users in day-to-day surveillance activities, around 535 people have registered themselves in Mumbai. “Involving railway users in to gather information is the best way to prevent Terror strikes. We plan to rope in more people for this scheme,” an RPF official said.

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