Govt denies lax security in Delhi Metro

New Delhi, Aug 10 (UNI) The Government today denied that security was lax in the capital's sparkling new transport network -- the Delhi Metro.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour, Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken said about 575 Delhi police personnel have been deployed for security checks at various Metro Stations.

The Dehli Metro Rail Corporation Ltd has also deployed 406 private security guards for the safety and security of its assets and also to guide the commuters, he said.

Moreover, Delhi police has deployed 56 senior officers to conduct surprise checks on the working of its personnel.

Besides frisking of every passenger, use of metal detectors and sniffer dogs were routine at Metro Stations. Bomb blankets have been provided and each vehicle in the station's parking area is checked through the use of inverted mirror. Sand bags too have been provided in the stations.

Security personnel are deployed on running trains and quick reaction teams formed to meet the requirement of any situation in each Metro station, the Minister informed.

As many as 56 Metro stations on three routes are operational at present in the capital. More than four lakh commuters use the trains daily between 0600 and 2200 hrs.

UNI VN MSJ DS1615