Cash crunch hits rly station’s security plan
Rs 3.40 cr earmarked for security system at Kalupur rly station will now be used for security enhancement of four other stations, too
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Monday, July 16, 2012 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/20120716201207160219579069ea58ab2/Cash-crunch-hits-rly-station%E2%80%99s-security-plan.html?pageno=1)
In the aftermath of serial blasts in Mumbai locals, the Railway Board had proposed an integrated security system for 55 vital railway stations, including Ahmedabad, to thwart terror attack on the world’s second largest rail network. But the cash crunch has not only delayed the project but also curtailed the original plan. Sources in the board said Rs 3.40 crore was earmarked for Ahmedabad.
“The money allotted to Ahmedabad railway station will now be shared by four other stations: Vadodara, Godhra, Indore and Surat. The reduced budget will cut down the earlier proposed security measures. The original plan had allotted the same amount to other four stations, too,” said the source. The action plan was envisaged in late 2008 and was supposed to be fully implemented by March 2009 for Ahmedabad and 55 other railway stations. Senior Divisional Security Commissioner Sumati Shandilya said, “We have to cut short our plan due to financial crunch. We will implement the system partially. In the modified plan, 51 new CCTV cameras will be installed. The new high-end cameras will replace the old ones which do not generate clear footage. Also, sniffer dogs from the private security agencies will be hired. Tenders have already been floated for it.”
The dog squad would be deployed at the railway stations in Mehsana, Viramgam, Gandhidham and Sabarmati, Shandilya said.
Apart from CCTV cameras, special scanners to check passengers’ luggage, automatic vehicle scanner, an under vehicle surveillance system and bomb detection and disposal squad have been proposed under the project.
“CCTV cameras will be placed at vital locations like reservation counters, all platforms and compound wall,” the official said.
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Monday, July 16, 2012 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/20120716201207160219579069ea58ab2/Cash-crunch-hits-rly-station%E2%80%99s-security-plan.html?pageno=1)
In the aftermath of serial blasts in Mumbai locals, the Railway Board had proposed an integrated security system for 55 vital railway stations, including Ahmedabad, to thwart terror attack on the world’s second largest rail network. But the cash crunch has not only delayed the project but also curtailed the original plan. Sources in the board said Rs 3.40 crore was earmarked for Ahmedabad.
“The money allotted to Ahmedabad railway station will now be shared by four other stations: Vadodara, Godhra, Indore and Surat. The reduced budget will cut down the earlier proposed security measures. The original plan had allotted the same amount to other four stations, too,” said the source. The action plan was envisaged in late 2008 and was supposed to be fully implemented by March 2009 for Ahmedabad and 55 other railway stations. Senior Divisional Security Commissioner Sumati Shandilya said, “We have to cut short our plan due to financial crunch. We will implement the system partially. In the modified plan, 51 new CCTV cameras will be installed. The new high-end cameras will replace the old ones which do not generate clear footage. Also, sniffer dogs from the private security agencies will be hired. Tenders have already been floated for it.”
The dog squad would be deployed at the railway stations in Mehsana, Viramgam, Gandhidham and Sabarmati, Shandilya said.
Apart from CCTV cameras, special scanners to check passengers’ luggage, automatic vehicle scanner, an under vehicle surveillance system and bomb detection and disposal squad have been proposed under the project.
“CCTV cameras will be placed at vital locations like reservation counters, all platforms and compound wall,” the official said.
