Railway parcels would be subjected to tight scrutiny before being dispatched by passenger trains with the authorities putting in place a technology-aided security mechanism at Tiruchi junction.
An advanced parcel scanner installed at the railway parcel office situated in platform 1 would closely screen consignments to thwart movement of unauthorised substances by rail.
The huge equipment has been procured under the technology–oriented Integrated Security Scheme (ISS) that aims at putting in place a comprehensive security system to enhance surveillance and for effective monitoring at the junction.
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Tiruchi is one among the 140 railway stations across the country to be brought under the scope of the ISS in phase I. The ISS was conceived by the railway authorities in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008 in an effort to provide a fresh impetus to security and surveillance at stations.
The sophisticated parcel scanner equipped with sensors forms part of mosaic of advanced gadgets sanctioned under the ISS for Tiruchi. The railway administration has earmarked Rs.4 crore for Tiruchi for procurement of security equipment under the ISS.
The system of screening luggage of rail passengers by putting them through the baggage scanner has been in vogue for some time now. Henceforth, railway parcels would also be subjected to intense checks before being dispatched by passenger trains with the installation of the parcel scanner, say Railway Protection Force (RPF) authorities here.
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The parcels would be sent through the scanner before they are loaded in passenger trains to check movement of unauthorised substances such as narcotics and explosives.
Any case of mis-declaration of consignment could also be found out through the equipment. The scanner would be manned by RPF personnel round-the-clock in shifts, say the authorities.
The parcel scanner would be commissioned once the uninterrupted power supply system meant for the equipment comes through, say officials.
The ISS would be dealt by the RPF as it is entrusted with the responsibility of escorting passenger trains, safeguarding railway property and protecting passengers.
Five out of the over 60 surveillance cameras allotted to Tiruchi under the ISS have already been put in place at the station, say officials adding that another baggage scanner to screen belongings of rail passengers had been installed at Kallukuzhi entrance of the station.