Central Railway to spend Rs27 crore on station security in Mumbai

Central Railway (CR) is gearing up for a war against terror. It has drawn up a Rs27.49-crore shopping list of the most hi-tech security equipment available in the market to protect commuters on Mumbai’s suburban railway system, which is prone to be targeted by terrorists.

The CR will also form three command centres at CST, Kurla and Kalyan to integrate the entire security monitoring mechanism. The system has been customised after selecting the best practices in rail security across the world.

“The railways in Mumbai have already been attacked. There was a blast in a train at Mulund in 2003, followed by the July 11, 2006, serial blasts on Western Railway and the 26/11 terror attack at CST. The railway ministry had drawn up comprehensive plans to prepare for and counter any eventuality and had sanctioned money in the budget. We have now called for proposals and the systems should be in place in 2011,” a senior railway official said.

The integrated security system will have five basic elements, including internet protocol-based video surveillance system, access control system, personal and baggage screening systems, bomb detection and disposal system, and system integration.

Six stations on Mumbai — CST, Dadar, Kurla, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Thane, and Kalyan — and two stations in Pune division — Pune and Miraj — have been selected.

“The project will also include training of railway staff in installation, maintenance and operation of equipments/system. The entire system will be supervised and maintained for three years of warranty and a comprehensive four years of annual maintenance contract,” he added.

The system will also involve extension of the existing station public address system to the CCTV control room for emergency. The entire system will be operated from the CCTV control room and will have provisions for monitoring from a remote location through the railway network.