Alarmed over the increasing incidents of parcels and articles reported missing from Railway Mail Service (RMS) coaches of various trains, while in transit, the India Post is considering to request the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) to install CCTVs cameras in coaches.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the ICF’s diamond jubilee celebrations here, Chief Postmaster General for Tamil Nadu Charles Lobo said, “I have written to higher officials to request the coach-maker ICF to install CCTV cameras in RMS coaches so as to enable surveillance on our staff and the parcels.”
Replying to a query on whether there have been complaints of missing parcels while in transit, he said there have been cases reported in various cities. “There are allegations of our staff involved in missing parcels. We can’t say anything for sure unless there is proof. Cameras would help us in surveillance.”
Referring to CCTV cameras, the ICF has installed in coaches for women passengers to check offences against them, he said, “This way we could use technology to reduce crimes. Also, the image of India Post has to be protected and we have to handle the parcels with more care.”
Mr. Lobo had also mentioned the proposal during his speech at the function in the presence of Union Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha, General Manager Ashok Agarwal and other senior officials of the Railways.
ICF rolls out IGBT coaches
The first unit of the indigenously manufactured ‘insulated-gate bipolar transistor’ (IGBT) based electrical multiple units (EMUs) were flagged off by the Union Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha during the diamond jubilee celebrations on Friday here.
The three-phase EMUs, which can save energy up to 30 per cent and has other features, including sliding doors for air-conditioned coaches, would be used in Mumbai initially.
Energy efficient
The Railways has only been using three-phase propulsion systems for diesel locomotives, electric locomotives and diesel electric multiple units so far and the three-phase IGBT coaches are considered energy efficient.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the function, Mr. Sinha said that the ICF has produced and exported quality coaches and its functions would grow in the future.
Asked about media reports on the Railways losing over 150 million passengers within five years in the current fiscal, the Minister said, “There were some factors like the accident in Itarsi. We are working on ensuring that the Railways continues to serve the people and as the issues are resolved, we hope to get the passengers and we would not lose out on the revenue.” A major fire, which had broken out at the Route Relay Interlocking panel at the Itarsi Railway Station on June 17 had led to the cancellation of over 2,400 trains and eventually disturbed the railway traffic across the country.
There are allegations of our staff involved in missing parcels. We can’t say anything for sure unless there is proof, says Chief Postmaster General
