CISF identifies 160 ‘weak points’ at Metro stations, raises vigil

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is responsible for the security of Delhi Metro on Tuesday said that it had zeroed in at least 160 “weak points” in respect of security in the station premises, involving glass partitions.

The Central Industrial Security Agencies (CISF) has identified 160 weak points that can be used by terrorists to sneak in explosives in the Delhi Metro.

Apart from a queue manager system at the weak points, the CISF has taken several other measures to avoid any unprecedented incidents inside the Metro through this structural problem. (Mohd Zakir/HT Photo)

The Intelligence Bureau (IB) had also alerted the agencies responsible for Metro security to be careful as passengers often succeed in slipping in baggage without the security clearance.

Hindustan Times had reported on March 7 that increased vigil on people trying to sneak in baggage without putting them through proper security check at Metro stations has led to a spike in the number of reported offenders.

On October 1, 2015, a 30-year-old man shot himself in the paid area of the busy Rajiv Chowk Metro station. The man reportedly boarded the Metro from Chandni Chowk Metro station and got down at Rajiv Chowk.

During investigation it was revealed that the passenger managed to sneak in a country-made pistol by asking his sister to hand over the baggage to him instead of taking it through the proper channel.

“This was a weak link as partition at some Metro stations was low. We have taken up the matter with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and given them a list of 160 such points. At 14 points, they have increased the height of partition while at other points, temporary arrangements have been made,” said Surender Singh, director general of CISF.

With increased vigil at the identified points, 56 cases of handing over the baggage from the unpaid to paid area were detected from October 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015.

Only 43 cases were reported in the nine months before the October incident.

CISF caught 99 passengers in 2015 for the violation. “Such incidents can be a threat to security as there could be explosives in the baggage that is coming to Metro stations without security clearance. Similarly, a passenger entering through exit gate is a threat to security,” the official added.