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ECoR to tighten security at 3 stations initially

BHUBANESWAR: Close on the heels of terrorists’ attacks in Mumbai, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has geared up to strengthen its security arrangements in at least three railway stations by installing close circuit cameras as well as constituting bomb disposal squad.

The three stations, where security arrangements would be heightened, include Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri.Following the reports of terrorists first targeting Mumbai’s Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station (CST) by firing indiscriminately into the crowd of passengers, two high-level meetings of ECoR were held separately by General Manager A. K Goyal and Chief Security Commissioner.

They reviewed security situations at railway stations, especially at Bhubaneswar, Puri and Cuttack and sought feedback on additional security measures required. It was decided to go in for closed circuit television cameras (CCTV), baggage scanner machines and exclusive detection machines. Constitution of bomb disposal squads and sniffer dog squads would get priority.

“We are preparing a detail report on threat perceptions in three stations and additional measures required to be put in place. Three separate proposals for each station will be sent to Indian Railway Board by the end of this week,” an ECoR spokesperson said. He, however, declined to give a time frame by which the plans could see the light.

Sources in the ECoR said the bomb squad and dog squad would be under the command of the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Moreover, the RPF would increase its personnel strength immediately. The intelligence wing of the force would also be strengthened.

“Emphasis has been laid on collecting intelligence inputs. A detailed plan is being chalked out to encourage public to send feedback on security threats,” he said.

The ECoR is working out on an integrated security system by establishing better coordination between the RPF and Government Railway Police (GRP). As part of confidence-building measures, two sniffer dogs would be brought from Visakhapatnam and used in the drills here very soon.

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