BENGALURU: In the aftermath of terrorist attack on the Pathankot air base station over a fortnight ago, the Centre has issued orders to adopt stringent security measures at key railway stations across the country. In wake of that, additional cops and security machinery have been deployed at City railway station, Yesvantpur, Cantonment and Byappanahalli railway stations.
“A company of 100 personnel from the Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) of Tiruchirapalli Division have been deputed to the Bangalore Railway Protection Force (RPF) Division to enhance security at railway stations across the city. They took charge a week ago and will be here at least till Republic Day,” said a top cop.
The City station was noticed milling with cops on Thursday. “Our focus is on city station as it witnesses nearly 2 lakh footfalls daily,” he said. Three entry points of the main entrance of the City station were being manned by RPSF personnel donning bulletproof gear.
A few cops were equipped with hand metal scanners and were randomly checking passengers and luggage round-the-clock. “We were carrying out security measures earlier but the deployment of additional personnel has given a big push in our efforts,” he said.
Anti-sabotage squads with sniffer dogs were spotted on and off in the platforms and trains. “The idea is to make our presence visible as a kind of reassurance to the public,” he added. A close watch is also being kept on the Magadi Road entrance (second entry) to the City station.
The same is being done at Cantonment, Yeswantpur and Byappanahalli railway stations since they also witness huge footfalls regularly. A few of CCTV cameras which were functioning a bit erratically have all been set right, the official said.
Meanwhile, the Government Railway Police (GRP) has strengthened its presence by 50 more cops brought from all over Karnataka.
Trolley Mirrors
D Prakash, Senior Superintendent of Police, GRP, said, “Patrolling has been intensified in all the four stations along with the RPF. We have also installed two more door frame metal detectors at city railway station, at each of the entrances.”
In addition to it, trolley mirrors are being used to check vehicles entering the railway station. “They can be carried by hand or are brought in a trolley and held underneath a vehicle to help in detection of anything concealed,” he added.