Integrated Security System not in sight at Delhi stations

The proposed Integrated Security System at railway stations in the capital planned for the Commonwealth Games is yet to take off due to the delay in processing of bidding documents, though just 175 days are left for the sporting event.

The proposed Integrated Security System at railway stations in the capital planned for the Commonwealth Games is yet to take off due to the delay in processing of bidding documents, though just 175 days are left for the sporting event.

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The bidding documents for requisitioning the equipment required to strengthen security system at New Delhi, Old Delhi and Nizamuddin stations are not yet finalised though Rs 22 crore has been sanctioned for the purpose about a year back, a source in the Railway Ministry said.

According to the approved proposal, capital's sensitive stations are to be equipped with Internet Protocol-based CCTV surveillance system, access control, personal and baggage screening system and bomb detection and disposal system.

Since railway properties are becoming soft targets for terror and naxal attack, there is an urgent need to strengthen and upgrade security system at stations.

Keeping the threat perception in mind, the railways had decided to introduce Integrated Security System to strengthen surveillance mechanism in 195 sensitive and vulnerable stations, including New Delhi station, across the country.

However, the tendering process for acquiring and installing these modern machineries is yet to begin as Delhi Division of Northern Railway has not finalised the bidding documents.

"The bidding documents are being finalised and we will go for tender soon. We are hopeful that Integrated Security System will be operational before the Games," said a senior Northern Railway official involved in the project.

It takes about 45 days for completion of tendering process. Detailed estimate is being carried out for all 10 stations in the Delhi Division, the official said.

At New Delhi station alone, there will be 70 IP-based surveillance cameras installed at strategic locations to monitor the entire station. Though there are CCTVs in the New Delhi station now, they would be replaced with IP-based ones.

With IP-based CCTV, one can monitor the movement from any where in the world, the official said.

Besides CCTVs, there would be door-frame metal detectors and hand-held metal detectors to screen persons entering the premises. There would be also an advanced system for checking vehicles entering stations.

Northern Railway has been allocated Rs 63 crore for security enhancement out of which Delhi Division has got Rs 22 crore for installing the Integrated Security System.