Extremely difficult to provide 'fool-proof' security: CRB

New Delhi, Feb 26 (UNI) Conceding that it is extremely difficult to provide 'fool-proof' security in all trains and stations across the country, Railway Board Chairman J P Batra today, however, said the Railways is working in that direction.

Even security experts from places like the US and EU, that transport one tenth of what Indian Railways ferried (about 654 crore passengers) each year, say it is impossible to provide 'fool-proof' security, he told reporters.

''But we are trying our best to plug all the loop holes,'' he added.

''Indian Railways, with 67,000 Railway Police Force personnel, had the largest security force in the world. However, it was not enough for deployment in all the trains, so we intend to further increase its numbers by about 4,000,'' he said.

The Railways also planned to increase the number of security dogs from 190 at present that were divided into 79 dog squads, Mr Batra said.

Similarly, number of metal detectors and hand-held metal detectors would also be increased, he said.

Closed Circuit TVs, which were currently installed on 41 stations, would be put up on as many as 150 stations, the Railway Board Chairman said.

Besides, after consultation with experts, an integrated extensive security and surveillance system would be developed for Mumbai Suburban Services that would have high quality security equipment, he said.

Mr Batra ruled out imposing restrictions on people's entry into railway stations on the lines of the arrangements in airports for the moment.

Talking about the tragedy on the Delhi-Attari Link Express on February 18, he said several steps had since been taken to strengthen and modernise the security arrangements.

Among other things, the platform (Platform 18 of Old Delhi Railway Station) from where the train started had been cordoned off and the same had been done for the Thar Express that started from Jodhpur Railway Station in Rajasthan, he added.

UNI