Security helpline to come up for train passengers

A nationwide railway helpline number - 135- to help passengers seeking security assistance during train journeys is in the offing.

New Delhi: A nationwide railway helpline
number - 135- to help passengers seeking security assistance during train journeys is in the offing.

The All-India Passenger Security Helpline can be used
all over the country round-the-clock.

"All necessary preparations for launching the helpline
for security assistance are being made to launch the first of
its kind all-India service," a senior Railway Ministry
official involved with the project said.

The helpline will be managed by the Railway Protection
Force (RPF).

"There will be a control room near the Daya Basti here
to receive complaints round-the-clock. The control room
building is ready now," said the official, adding "a passenger
can make any security-related complaint using the number."

RPF will provide necessary training to about 250 staff
for the call centre job. "There will be about 30 RPF personnel
deployed at the control room to receive the complaints and do
the needful," the official said.

Networking of all RPF units and other modalities are being worked out to launch the helpline.

"Networking of security control rooms and important
posts has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 4.41
crores for speedy collection and dissemination of crime
related information," he said.

Noting that railways is becoming a soft target of
sabotage and terrorism, the official said, "Security of
passengers is of paramount importance for railways and we
would like all passengers to travel fearlessly".

Railways are also planning to amend railway property law to empower RPF in dealing with passenger-related offences.

Necessary amendments in the Railway Property (unlawful
possession) Act to further empower RPF officers to conduct
inquiry on receipt of information and widen the ambit of its
penal sections is passed in Rajya Sabha and now it will be
sent to Lok Sabha for consideration.

"The amendments will empower the RPF to deal with
passenger-related offences," he said, adding "RPF will have to
play a vital role in coordination with other police forces and
intelligence agencies to deter disruptive elements and ensure
smooth, safe and secure movement of railways as well as
passengers."

PTI

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