'X-ray scanners at railway stations can't detect bombs'
The Delhi police have found several loopholes in the security system at railway stations in the national capital.
The Delhi police have found several loopholes in the security system at railway stations in the national capital.
Following the blast outside the Delhi high court, the police conducted a security audit of railway stations and discovered several lapses.
Considering the heavy volume of passenger traffic at the five railway stations, the police have written a letter to Northern Railway, asking them to revamp the security structures.
Terming the parking areas as soft-spots, the Delhi Police have asked railways to install CCTV cameras at the parking lots outside stations.
"In recent times, we have noticed that terrorists are targeting cars parked in the parking lot. There is no security arrangement for parking lots at any station, including the busy New Delhi railway station. We have asked the Northern Railway to install cameras to make the areas safe," an officer of Delhi Police Crime Branch said.
The Crime Branch of Delhi Police is responsible for security outside railway stations, while the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has to see to the safety of passengers inside stations.
"Our two main concerns are parking and baggage scanners. During the audit, we placed explosives in a bag and put it in scanner. Shockingly, the X-ray scanner failed to detect it. We have brought this point to the notice of senior railway officers, who will check to see if the machines are faulty," the officer added.
"New Delhi and Old Delhi railway stations are the two busiest railway stations of the Capital. But parking lots at these stations are not covered by CCTV cameras. We have asked parking attendants to check each and every car properly and let us know if any unattended car is parked in the area," the officer further said.
Police have also found that the door frame metal detectors (DFMDs) at the New Delhi Railway Station stop working very often and even the cameras installed at platforms are not functioning properly.
"We keep sending them reminders whenever we notice any fault with security equipments. There is a need of complete revamp for which new equipments are required. We cannot afford to compromise on the security of railway stations of the Capital," he said.
Railway officials, however, refused to have any knowledge of the communication sent by the Delhi Police.
"I am not aware of any such letter," said SK Sharma, CPRO, Northern Railway.
The Delhi Police have also asked Northern Railway to increase the number of CCTV at platforms.
Delhi has five railway stations - Nizamuddin, Old Delhi, New Delhi, Sarai Rohilla and Anand Vihar.
The police have also sealed a number of entry-exit points that were left unattended so far.