Exclusive air-conditioned coaches attached to express trains and reserved for Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel were inaugurated in Chennai. Two express trains with air-conditioned compartments, plying through the city, were flagged off by N Venugopal, Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Zone, Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) at Central railway station here on Thursday.
Briefing newspersons on the occasion Venugopal said the facility had been introduced in Train No.16031 Andaman express from Chennai to Jammu Tawi and Train No. 12687 Dehradun Exp from Chennai to Dehradun. “We chose these two trains because they cover several railway stations in the itinerary, helping more personnel to travel,” he said.
According to a press release issued on the occasion CAPF personnel frequently have to travel long distances and are sometimes forced to travel in general or unreserved compartments. This leads to an uncomfortable and stressful journey for the force personnel and their families. Considering the discomforts suffered by the personnel of CAPF, the Ministry of Railway and Ministry of Home affairs have come together in a scheme to attach one AC III tier coach, reserved exclusively for CAPF personnel, to certain long distance trains.
The DIG said that the strength of Para Military Forces including State police forces in the country is 23 lakh. The CAPF, comprising CISF, BSF, CRPF, ITBP, NSG, SSB and Assam Rifles, performs rigorous duties across the country. “The exclusive coach facility is presently available on seven trains throughout the country. As far as the south is concerned, we will extend it based on the response for the two trains,” he stated.
Nodal officers of the CAPF in various State headquarters of India will facilitate the travel requirements of their personnel in the reserved compartments. CAPF personnel travelling on emergency official assignments can board the coach with the identity card and other official documents, sources said.