FOLLOWING TERROR strikes in the local trains of Mumbai, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of the North Central Railway (NCR) has gone on a high alert and are now also mulling over the idea of having its very own 'bomb disposal squad'.
As per plans, the NCR has decided to send its request for raising a well-equipped squad of expert bomb detectors to the Railway Board for approval.
The squad is being envisioned as a quick reaction team capable of responding to bomb threats on board the moving trains as well as platforms of any station falling within the three divisions of NCR—Allahabad, Jhansi and Agra.
"The proposal to have a bomb detection squad is part of our efforts to ensure safe journey of railway passengers. If approved, the initiative will come as a much needed relief to the passengers who have become a little nervous following the incidents of bomb explosions taking place in moving trains and railway stations during the recent few months," informed a well-placed NCR source.
NCR sources inform that the plan is to equip the squad with the latest gadgets and train the personnel on the most modern technology available for detecting and diffusing live bombs of different kinds.
{{/usCountry}}NCR sources inform that the plan is to equip the squad with the latest gadgets and train the personnel on the most modern technology available for detecting and diffusing live bombs of different kinds.
{{/usCountry}}At present such a bomb disposal squad is functioning in Chennai.
Sources informed that as many as five to six RPF personnel will form the elite squad. "These personnel will undergo training at Jagjivan Ram RPF Academy, Lucknow, where they will be taught about various kinds of explosives being used by terror merchants operating in the country and techniques for diffusing the bombs without endangering their lives or the lives and properties of the common man," sources added.
The plan is to test the effectiveness and the response capability of the squad under test conditions after being given information regarding handling of the various ultra-modern equipment before being pressed into field.
Sources claimed that the move of the railways will help in preventing incidents of bomb blasts to a considerable extent and thus enhance the security of the rail passengers. "Planning in this regard is on and the proposal is expected to be sent to the Railway Board for approval soon", informed insiders.