RPF steps up vigil in border areas

Stepping up vigil in the aftermath the Pathankot airbase attack, Railway Protection Force (RPF) has undertaken a series of steps to ensure security at rail premises in border areas and also increased the escorting service for trains.
"We have undertaken inspection of railway properties in border areas extensively after the Pathankot incident and strengthened security arrangement for safe train operations," RPF DG Rajiv Ranjan Verma said here today while addressing a workshop of RPF and General railway Police (GRP).
RPF has increased the train escorting service from about 1300 to 2146 trains now and aims to cover 3000 trains in near future.

Verma said in the changing scenario, railway properties have become more vulnerable.
"Besides, day-to-day law and order situation in terms of rail operation, we have to secure rail premises as these are easily accessible because of open boundary," he said, adding, "Steps are being taken to control free access."
He also said there is a need for strenthening the RPF's dog squad to detect explosives at stations and trains.

"We have about 300-plus sniffer dogs and we will be procuring more dogs for the squad," he said.
On possible lack of coordination between GRP and RPF, Verma said there was no turf war between the two forces and that "both supplement each other for strengthening security at rail premises".

He further said, "Our aim is to ensure safe travel for passengers and protect well rail properties."
The workshop will discuss key issues like train escorting, security of railway passengers and menace of fake ticketing.