SAFETY AND SECURITY IN RAILWAYS
1839. SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether there is a need to introduce FIR system in the Railway network;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any concrete steps are being taken to make rail journey a safe journey;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the objective of Railway Protection Force (RPF) should be zero tolerance for crime; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard?
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1839 BY SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 21.09.2020 REGARDING SAFETY AND SECURITY IN RAILWAYS
(a) to (f): Policing on Railways being a State subject, prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law & order in Railway premises as well as on running trains are the statutory responsibility of the State Governments, which they discharge through Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. However, Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of GRP to provide better protection and security of passenger area & passengers and for related matters.
States are having different mechanisms for lodging of FIR and registration of crimes. However, to facilitate travelling passengers in running trains to report a crime, First Information Report (FIR) forms are available with TTE, Guard or RPF/GRP train escorting staff. After filling the Form may be handed over to one of the said officials for registration of the case at the next Police Station irrespective of the jurisdiction for taking cognizance on it. If the place of occurrence does not fall in their jurisdiction, the case is registered under Zero FIR and transferred to the concerned Government Railway Police Station having jurisdiction. Further course of action is taken by the Police as per extant legal provisions.
Regular coordination is made with the State Police/GRP authorities at all levels for prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law & order in Railway premises as well as on running trains. Following measures are being taken by the Railways in coordination with Government Railway Police to ensure safety and security of passengers including women passengers:-
1. On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, trains are escorted by Railway Protection Force daily in addition to trains escorted by Government Railway Police of different States daily.
2. Security Help Line number 182 is operational over Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
3. Through various social media platforms viz. twitter, facebook etc., Railways are in regular touch with passengers to enhance security and to address their security concern.
4. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate passengers to take precautions against theft, snatching, drugging etc.
5. An Integrated Security System (ISS) consisting of surveillance of vulnerable stations through Close Circuit Television (CCTV) Network, Access Control etc. has been sanctioned to improve surveillance mechanism over 202 railway stations.
6. For better security of passengers existing vacancies in RPF have been filled up. Recruitment drives have been initiated for various ranks to fill up the existing vacancies. During the ongoing recruitments, 1121 Sub-Inspectors (executive), 8619 Constables (executive) & 798 Constable (Ancillary) vacancies were notified. The recruitment has been completed and total 1121 Sub-Inspectors (executive), 8543 Constables (executive) and 796 Constables (Ancillary) in RPF/RPSF have been empanelled.
7. Fixed CCTV Cameras have been provided in 2688 coaches and 627 Railway stations for enhancing security of passengers.
8. Drives are conducted from time to time against the entry of unauthorized persons in trains and railway premises.
9. State Level Security Committee of Railways (SLSCR) have been constituted for all State/Union Territories under the Chairmanship of respective Director General of Police/ Commissioner of States/Union Territories for regular monitoring and review of security arrangements of the Railways.
Further, close liaison is made by Railways with the State Police/GRP authorities at all levels for prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law and order in Railway premises as well as on running trains.