Bengaluru: Metro authorities seek CISF cover for stations

BENGALURU: Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has sought Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) cover for Metro stations. Outgoing BMRCL managing director Mahendra Jain told TOI that a request was made to the Centre to also bear the cost of deployment of CISF personnel in all Metro Rail corporations across the country. CISF deployment will be on the lines of the international airport, but on a lower scale.

“It is not financially feasible for us to deploy CISF personnel at Metro stations. We are spending a considerable amount on security at Metro stations. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) doesn’t have such a financial burden as the Centre bears the cost. We have requested the Centre to provide CISF at all Metro rail corporations,” said Jain.

While Delhi Metro is manned by CISF personnel, Namma Metro, a joint venture of the Union and state governments, is guarded by Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), Karnataka State Industrial Security Force (KSISF) and private guards.

In the Delhi Metro, CISF also uses specially trained sniffer dogs that can identify modern explosives. CISF also provides security to Isro, KIA and companies like Infosys in Bengaluru. However, a majority of the security guards manning Metro stations are ill-equipped and unarmed, and their primary responsibility is to ensure passengers don’t cross the yellow line on the platform.

In the meantime, BMRCL is not waiting for CISF to increase safety at Metro stations. “With the number of Metro coaches being doubled, we are also in the process of recruiting more security staff at stations. A retired Inspector General of Police is the head of BMRCL’s security division, which is overseeing security arrangements,” said Jain.

Asked about the daggerwielding youth who attacked a woman on Namma Metro Boulevard on MG Road on Sunday evening, Jain said they have intensified security in all Metro stations.

Lathis on the walkway

A day after the chainsnatching incident, BMRCL equipped guards -- of the security agency to which security of MG Road boulevard and station is outsourced to -- with lathis. When TOI spoke to one of the guards, he said they have been told to keep strict vigil on people’s movements, and stop and check those appearing suspicious. “Four guards each in three shifts work round the clock to keep vigil on the boulevard. Lathis may not be that effective but are a deterrent for people with criminal intentions,” he added.

Guards have also been instructed not to allow people to crowd around or stay for long at the boulevard. “In the coming days, a couple of art exhibits and cultural events are scheduled at Rangoli Metro Art Centre. Guards have been told to be more careful,” said a source. BMRCL officials told TOI that hitherto, security guards at the boulevard were not equipped with weapons, mainly because Rangoli sees a lot of people and there is a kids’ play area as well. Officials say guards with weapons paint a different picture of a public space.

POLICE MAY INCREASE PATROLLING

Police are mulling increasing security on MG Road, in the wake of an attack by a daggerwielding youth on a woman in the boulevard area on Sunday evening. Officials from Cubbon Park and Ashok Nagar police stations said they may increase police patrol on MG Road and Church Street in the mornings and evenings, especially on weekends. Senior police officials said security will be beefed up in the area if they find that the Sunday attacker sought to make most of security loopholes, if any.

DCP (Central) Chandragupta said that police will take necessary precautions to avoid such incidents in future. “We are investigating the case from all angles and will take an appropriate decision based on the outcome of our investigation,” Chandragupta said.