The Hindu : Front Page : Private security plan for MRTS stations

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Wednesday, Jul 08, 2009
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Private security plan for MRTS stations

R. Srikanth

CHENNAI: Southern Railway is considering engaging private security personnel at the Mass Rapid Transit System rail stations from Mandaveli to Velachery here. Apart from safeguarding property at the nine stations, the move is expected to result in more people, particularly women and senior citizens, patronising MRTS services.

The modalities were being worked out, said Chennai Divisional Railway Manager S.K. Kulshrestha.

With several MRTS stations located close to slums, Railway Protection Force personnel often found it difficult to prevent the entry of unauthorised persons into stations.

A senior official in the Divisional Chief Security Commissioner’s Office confirmed that there was such a proposal. After the hijacking of a train that led to a collision at the Vysarpadi Jeeva railway station, security had been tightened at several stations, he said.

The sanctioned strength of the Railway Protection Force is 53 and the personnel have to cover 15 stations, from Park Town to Velachery.

However, every day nearly eight to 10 RPF personnel were not available for duty due to various reasons. This necessitated the posting of private security personnel, a senior RPF official said.

RPF personnel travel in trains from Park Town to Velachery, and six armed Railway Protection Special Force personnel are on duty in trains from Greenways Road to Perungudi.

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