Chennai Metro stations to have baggage scanners

When Chennai Metro Rail stations become operational in the first quarter of 2014, passengers will be required to have their baggage scanned.

This is only aimed at ensuring security of commuters, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) officials said.

“We have now called for tenders to procure and install x-ray baggage scanning machines. Most stations will have one machine; the bigger stations may have two. The scanners will be put up near the entry points of each station,” said an official of CMRL. Each scanner will be manned by one security personnel.

Initially, five of the stations, including Koyambedu, CMBT, Arumbakkam, Vadapalani and Ashok Nagar, once completed, would have the scanners, the official added.Kolkata, Delhi and Bangalore Metro Rail systems also have x-ray baggage scanning machines.

Apart from the x-ray scanners, each station will have standard security equipment including CCTV cameras, two door frame metal detectors (DFMD) and hand held metal detectors (HHMD), according to another tender document of CMRL.

This document also mentions that at least 20 percent of the security personnel at the Metro stations will be women.

However, it is not yet clear if the State police or Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will man the Metro Rail stations in Chennai. In Delhi Metro stations, CISF personnel are deployed. “It is too early to say who will provide security for the stations,” the official said.

The construction of the CMRL project which started in 2009 is being carried out at a cost of Rs. 14,600 crore and the first line from Koyambedu to Alandur is likely to be become operational in the first quarter of 2014.