By IANS,
New Delhi : Indian Railways proposes to complete installing integrated security systems at all the 202 identified stations and increase number of trains escorted by security forces in order to increase passenger safety.
“Security of passengers has been of prime concern (to us),” Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi said while presenting his budget for 2012-13 in the Lok Sabha.
“It is proposed to complete the installation of Integrated Security System at all the 202 identified stations during 2012-13. Additionally, escorting of trains by RPF/GRP (Railway Protection Force/ Government Railway Police) has been extended to almost 3,500 trains,” he added.
The development comes at a time when there is a controversy is brewing over the proposed amendment to the Railway Protection Force Act, 1957 which seeks to do away with GRP and give more powers to RPF.
Many non-UPA government states have expressed their objection to this, saying it will be a attack on the federal structure.
The ministry has also proposed to integrate the RPF helpline with the all-India passenger helpline to facilitate faster response to the security needs of passengers.
Expressing his unhappiness over the present standard of hygiene and cleanliness in the Indian Railways, Trivedi has also said that all out efforts would be made to improve the situation on trains and at stations within the next six months.
He said this is a very special activity which comes under the core area of house-keeping. The minister proposed to set up a specialised house-keeping body to take care of both stations and trains.