Lalu favours controlling crowd at stations

New Delhi, Aug 4 (UNI) The measure may sound simplistic, but Railway Minister Lalu Prasad is game for it.

Rattled by the July 11 devastating blasts in the suburban train system in Mumbai, Mr Prasad is in favour of controlling the crowd at more than 8,000 stations in the country, so that only bona fide passengers are allowed entry to the platforms.

''People coming in large numbers to see off their relatives and friends at railway stations have to be discouraged as an imperative security measure,'' Mr Prasad told reporters here today.

In a style that has come to be associated with his persona, the minister said, ''Bahar se hein by-bye, ta-ta karo, station par jaane ki koi jarurat nahain hai'' (See off your relaives outside the station as there is no need to go right on the platform).

Mr Prasad said he was in favour of putting up some arrangements for those would come to see off their relatives. ''We can construct a room outside the station for them where drinking water facilities can be provided.'' In this connection, he narrated his personal experiences during his recent visit to European countries.

''My own officials, wo accompanied me on my trip, were thoroughly frisked at stations in several countries,'' he said, adding that a thorough screening of people could no longer be avoided.

About other security measures, he said CCTVs would be installed at all the major stations and dog squads pressed into service for sniffing explosives.

''We are seized of the matter and working round the clock to put in place an efficient security system,'' he said.

Mr Prasad also appealed to Naxalites not to target trains.

''Violence is no solution to any problem.'' UNI/SKS DKB VV1846