Security upped at railway stations

With Diwali less than a week away, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has tightened security arrangements on both Western Railway (WR) and Central Railway (CR).

With Diwali less than a week away, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has tightened security arrangements on both Western Railway (WR) and Central Railway (CR). WR’s Diwali bandobast started on Sunday afternoon and is expected to continue till a few days after the festival ends.

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“Since Diwali is approaching and security is a matter of concern, frisking will be stricter at major and sensitive stations,” said Rajendra Rupnavar, senior divisional security commissioner, RPF (WR).

“An additional force of 19 inspectors and about 70 policemen from other railway divisions has reached the city,” he added. “We will be working with hand held metal detectors and other security equipment that we normally use,” said Rupnawar. A Central Railway official said: “We have deployed the maximum forces possible, and restricted leave of our staff.”

However, commuters are not convinced that enough is being done for security. “While traveling in a train from Kandivali to Churchgate on Saturday afternoon, I spotted a bag below my seat. I immediately tried calling the helpline number 1276. However, I couldn’t get through,” said J Makhija (name changed on request) a WR commuter.