E-Paper
146 vehicles, 13 lodges checked in Pune railway station security drive
According to the railways, the drive involved RPF Pune, Pune Railway Police, Bundgarden Police Station, Bundgarden Traffic Department, Koregaon Park Traffic Department and the PMC
A joint security and enforcement operation was carried out at Pune Railway Station and surrounding areas late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, with railway, police and civic authorities checking unauthorised persons, trespassers, suspicious activity, encroachments and vehicles.
The operation, conducted from 9.30 pm on August 19 to 1 am on August 20, was led by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and Pune city police, with participation from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and traffic police.
According to the railways, the drive involved RPF Pune, Pune Railway Police, Bundgarden Police Station, Bundgarden Traffic Department, Koregaon Park Traffic Department and the PMC. A total of 17 police officers and 90 personnel, nine RPF officers and 34 personnel, and three PMC officers and 35 staff took part. Eight police teams were deployed for checking and combing operations in and around the station.
During the drive, teams checked unauthorised persons, people sleeping on railway premises, beggars allegedly under the influence of intoxicants and others deemed suspicious. The RPF took action against 37 people for trespassing or unauthorised entry into railway premises, recovering ₹18,500 in fines. Pune Railway Police and Bundgarden Police also checked 72 suspicious or unauthorised persons, 15 of whom were handed over to their relatives under Section 69 of the Maharashtra Police Act.
Teams also inspected four deserted and poorly lit locations around the station identified as potential security concerns, with the aim of preventing them from becoming sites for unlawful activities, particularly at night.
The PMC initiated action in 21 cases involving unauthorised stalls, handcarts and hawkers and seized material in accordance with rules. Traffic police checked 146 vehicles at Alankar Chowk and Jehangir Chowk and took action for violations.
Thirteen hotels and lodges near the station were also inspected. Their management was instructed to verify guests’ identity documents and purpose of stay and immediately alert Bundgarden Police Station or emergency helpline 112 in case of suspicious activity.
“The joint combing operation was undertaken to strengthen security not only inside Pune Railway Station but also in the surrounding areas, where passenger movement and other activities continue round the clock. Such coordinated drives help us identify vulnerable locations, check unauthorised entry and address activities that could affect the safety and convenience of passengers,” said Hemant Kumar Behera, Pune Railway Division spokesperson.
Railway authorities said the exercise was part of efforts to strengthen law-and-order and security arrangements around one of the city’s busiest transport hubs.
