CHENNAI: The private trains that will run from Chennai will have security guards appointed by private firms most probably on all coaches in addition to the Railway Protection Force personnel who will be overseeing the security.
Railways will award tenders in a few days to private firms to run trains on select routes across the country including 12 routes in Chennai region.
A few companies had expressed interest and railways had also set deadlines to upgrade tracks, allot or space for maintenance and identify main stations in Chennai from where these trains will be run.
Director general of RPF Arun Kumar said at a virtual press conference that a standard operating procedure (SoP) is being readied to provide security to passengers in private trains.
“We will be refining the model of security followed for Tejas Express which had posted private security in coaches.
Even if there is private security, the ultimate responsibility to provide security remains with the state, either its RPF or GRP.
The private security will work under us.” Tejas express is being run by IRCTC.
“The private security if provided in coaches will be in a position to offer closer security to minimise theft and other crime.
This layer will be supervised by the RPF personnel.
RPF and GRP will be in charge of the overall security for major incidents and will do FIRs,” he added.
RPF is also working to provide security for high speed rail corridors.
“Our officers have been trained in Japan.
We are trying to upgrade security for the future whether it’s for high speed or dedicated freight corridor or whichever be the requirement,” he added.
In a bid to improve security and better coordination, a rail suraksha app is also being devised for RPF and GRP and layers of CCTV networks.
“The app will allow RPF personnel to record details of a complaint, the passenger and co-passengers and others and the passenger will be allowed to leave.
The control room will then decide where to register the FIR.
The app will also be with railway staff, RPF, GRP and others and passengers will be able to register complaints to anyone.