Mumbai: On-duty cops will be allowed to travel free in local trains

Mumbai: In a bid to increase police personnel in the local trains, soon on-duty Mumbai police official will be allowed to travel free in the suburban local trains. A senior railway official said by the end of this month they will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Mumbai Police.

This move comes after the Mumbai police commissioner during a meeting chaired by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal after Elphinstone Road station stampede last year demanded to allow Mumbai police staffers to travel for free in local trains. “It is the great move by the railway authorities as it is the much needed step for the increasing the security in the local trains,” said a senior police inspector.

Earlier, the police personnel had to buy tickets or they use to get train passes to travel in the local trains. “We have put forth a condition for the travel and the MoU which will be signed will be valid for a year. The city police personnel should also react and help commuters during an emergency,” added official.

Currently, Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel are deployed in women’s compartments from 9 pm to 6 am on both the Central and Western Railway. They have been given orange jackets. The Mumbai Police personnel are likely to be given a different colour jacket which would help commuters identify them. “The police personnel will have to be in the uniform and display their batches to board a train. Their presence will definitely increase passengers’ security,” said a senior railway official.