Hoping to get more personnel after the training of constable recruits under process now, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) authorities of Tiruchi Division have proposed to double the strength of train escort parties deployed on board select long-distance trains.
Alongside doubling the train escort strength, the RPF has also proposed to provide escort in more trains passing through the railway division following a direction from the RPF headquarters in New Delhi. As per the plan, the present train escort strength of the division would be increased from 32 to 64. Consequently, 16 pairs of trains would be provided with train escort teams as against eight trains now.
The Indian Railways went on a massive drive last year recruiting 16,000 constable recruits to fill vacancies in various railway zones across the country.
They were being trained in 34 centres across the railway network and are expected to be inducted into the force in June.
A little over 1,000 constable recruits would be deployed to the Southern Railway zone encompassing Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchi, Salem, Palakkad, and Thiruvananthapuram railway divisions. The constable recruits meant to be posted in Southern Railway zone are undergoing training at Tiruchi, Moula Ali near Hyderabad, and at Palampur in Himachal Pradesh. All the 66 constable recruits undergoing training at Palampur were women.
The training was nearing completion with the outdoor and indoor examinations slated to be completed before this month.
The passing out parade was slated to be held in June second week following which the constable recruits would be formally inducted into the force.
They would be put on a 45-day practical training across the Southern Railway zone. This meant that the new recruits would be drafted for active service from August.
The authorities expect over 100 constable recruits to be drafted to Tiruchi railway division. RPF authorities say that the train escort strength would be doubled from August after the entry of constable recruits. The train escort pattern would be dynamic with personnel posted on rotation basis to cover additional long-distance trains, the officer said.
