RD security: Double frisking of passengers,bags in Delhi Metro

With security preparedness going on an all-time high in the run up to the Republic Day celebrations in the national capital, a two-layered frisking of passengers and their baggage has begun in the Delhi Metro used by lakhs of commuters every day.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), mandated to secure over 150 operational stations in the national capital region, has also deployed an increased strength of uniformed troops and plainclothes spotters at select stations to keep a 'hawk eye' on possible trouble makers.
"The personnel on ground have been asked to step up their vigil and launch surprise checks. In order to better secure passengers and Delhi Metro premises, a second layer of physical security has been introduced at a number of stations which entail an additional personnel frisking commuters just before entering the door-frame metal detector and a repeat scanning of baggages after being screened by the X-ray scanner.

"But it has been made clear that these measures are based on risk-profiling of people intending to take the Delhi Metro and keeping in mind that commuters are not subjected to undue hassles and delay," official sources involved with the security operations of the rapid rail network said.
They said armed CISF personnel have not only been deployed to take charge of the bullet-proof 'morchas' inside the stations but a number of them are posted to keep an eye on the exits near the automated fare collection gates and the area where the paid and un-paid sections of the stations meet.

"A fresh strength of personnel of the intelligence wing of the force have also been deputed to smartly mix themselves in the crowds and stations area to keep an eye on possible trouble-makers or on any untoward activity here," they said.

CISF officials said they would seek the "cooperation" of travellers as the security drive has been "intensified", especially at inter-change and stations that see a heavy footfall like Rajiv Chowk, Pragati Maidan, Chandani chowk and many others.
The force, which has increased its security deployment to
over 5,000 personnel for Metro security tasks, has also rationalised the leaves of its men and women and such sanctions are being issued only in bonafide emergency cases.

"Armed squads are also travelling inside Metro trains in the run up to the celebrations of January 26. Commuters are requested to inform any untoward activity in the Metro to either security personnel present around or call the CISF helpline at 011-22185555," they said.
Recently the government has also brought in an additional 10,000 paramilitary personnel in Delhi to ensure greater security cover ahead of the Republic Day celebrations where French President Francois Hollande will be the chief guest.
Security at all major civilian airports, including at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), has also been stepped up with fliers being asked to remove their shoes during frisking, and in select cases, they are being re-screened just before entering the aircraft.

The Metro witnesses an average footfall of about 26 lakh passengers every day who travel to reach their destinations in the national capital areas of Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad and Gurgaon.