Bengaluru: In a bid to ensure the safety and security of passengers and railway property, the South Western Railway authorities have initiated a project to upgrade the security infrastructure at various railway stations in the city.
The project, which is being carried out in collaboration with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the State Railway Police (SRP), aims to implement airport-style security features such as metal detectors, baggage scanners, and closed-circuit cameras (CC cameras) at station entrances and exits.
According to a senior officer from the Bengaluru division, the project is in line with the ongoing discussions regarding the adoption of an airport security model for railway stations across the country.
“The RPF and the SRP are conducting a joint survey to identify the areas where CC camera installations are most needed. We will also assess the feasibility of installing metal detectors and baggage scanners at the stations. The survey report will help us decide on the security measures to be taken,” the officer said.
The officer added that the project will also augment the existing network of CC cameras at the stations, which are currently used for monitoring and surveillance purposes.
“As of now, we have 83 CC cameras at the Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna station, 48 at the Yesvantpur station, and varying numbers at other stations. Some of the cameras are under repair and will be fixed soon. We plan to increase the number and coverage of the cameras to ensure better security,” the officer said.
The officer further said that the project will also involve the installation of CC cameras at the stations that are undergoing special renovations, such as the Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal, which is expected to be inaugurated soon.
The project, which is estimated to cost around Rs. 10 crore, is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The officer appealed to the passengers to cooperate with the security personnel and follow the security guidelines at the stations.
“We request the passengers to arrive at the stations well in advance and undergo the security checks without any hassle. We also urge them to report any suspicious or unattended objects or persons to the security staff. We assure the passengers that the security upgrade will not affect the smooth functioning of the railway services,” the officer said.
