On R-Day, special commandos to guard Mumbai’s stations

In a first, Mumbai police’s Quick Response Team (QRT) commandos will be deployed at several vantage points on the premises of railway stations to counter any untoward incidents on Republic Day

In a first, Mumbai police’s Quick Response Team (QRT) commandos will be deployed at several vantage points on the premises of railway stations to counter any untoward incidents on Republic Day.

Hindustan Times had reported on January 21 about the state governments’ advisory to the railway police about the possibility of an attack on the city’s suburban network following the Pathankot terror attack.

“The commando teams will be deployed for better passenger security. We have chalked out a joint plan with the city police, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and other agencies. QRT commandos will be deployed at vantage points outside railway terminals that witness heavy footfall,” said GRP commissioner Madhukar Pandey.

Officials said that the security situation at railway stations is sensitive as there are multiple entry and exit points, some even illegal, and every point cannot be manned round-the-clock with the existing security staff.

Station security will also comprise GRP and RPF commandos. The GRP teams, consisting of five commandos each, who will be posted at crucial spots at railway stations. They will be armed with automatic weapons, bulletproof vests and walkie-talkies.

Teams of RPF commandos, on the other hand, will travel in local trains in groups of four. They will coordinate with the railway police personnel and the commandos posted on the platforms and on station premises.

“We have asked the city police to have improved security outside railway stations,” added Pandey.

The GRP and RPF will jointly scan the CCTV camera footage from key railway stations to for suspicious persons. At present, only the RPF has access to the footage.