Rly station to have airport-like security

Nagpur: Nagpur, Gondia, Badnera, and Murtizapur among 202 other railway stations across the country have been identified to have airport-like security system. Passengers will have to reach 20 minutes before the train schedule for mandatory security check-ups as done at airports.
The Railway Board’s decision follows after a committee post 26/11 terror attacks had submitted recommendations on strengthening security system at stations.

According to senior railway officials, 16 stations have been identified across Central Railway in the state, while three across South East Central Railway including Raipur, Gondia and Bilaspur.

A senior Central Railway official said, “The decision will not be implemented in near future as we will have to close all the breaches at Itarsi, Howrah and Wardha end. Work on constructing boundary walls on these sides will start by month end and Rs 3.5 crore have already been earmarked for it.”

“Though we have 240 cameras monitoring the station through CCTVs and baggage scanners, not all passengers pass through these checks. Modalities on how to go about are being worked out and we will have to now mark proper entry and exit,” he said.

Currently, it is a free-for-all from Santra Market, Motibagh, and even west side to enter the station. Even railway staff, unauthorized vendors and anti-social elements breach the walls from Central Railway hospital side.

The official said, “In case of senior citizens and ailing passengers boarding the trains, some norms will have to be worked out. We are in the process of doing that. Till a foolproof system is in place, we will create awareness among the passengers on the issue.”