New Delhi: In its effort to ensure passenger
security and prevent narcotic trafficking, the government
plans to increase the number of sniffer dogs at major railway
stations and airports across the country.
The dogs - Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden
Retriever and Cocker Spaniel - will be pressed into service to
sniff out explosives and narcotics drugs.
As per the recommendation of the MHA appointed Committee
on augmentation of police dogs and related issues, two dogs
will be roped in for about eight passenger trains per station.
It also plans to have two sniffer dogs to check baggage
of 12 flights. MHA sources said the strength of dogs at
airports would be based on the number of flights originating
from there.
The proposal has been made taking into account the
present strength of sniffer dogs and the future security
needs, sources said.
As per the plan, the Indira Gandhi International Airport
here will have 58 dogs while Mumbai and Kolkata airports will
have 56 and 24 canines each. The Committee recommended 30
additional dogs for Chennai airport, they said.
For Railways, the government plans to cover metropolis
and state capitals in the first phase, which is expected to be
completed by early next year and later extend it to other
major stations by the end of 2010 once the Committee`s
recommendations are accepted.
The government will also stress on multiplying the
breeding and training capacity of dog academies across the
country by building necessary infrastructures and providing
required resources and facilities.
The Centre is also planning to increase the number of
dog training centres in Naxal-affected states to provide
advanced training to canines in tackling Maoists, they said.
As per the proposal, a total of 12 dogs -- five for
patrolling and guarding, four explosive sniffers and three
trackers -- will be doing the duty in the left-wing extremists
affected areas, the sources added.
Bureau Report
