Inadequate manpower challenges RPF, GRP over security on trains

The situation is so pathetic that the RPF is deputing about 250 personnel for night train escort in place of 1,200 required. The condition of GRP is even worse. The manpower shortage in GRP is so bad that about 150 personnel would be working on a day across the state as the present strength of the force is only around 600. 

For example, the Chennai Central Station had a sanctioned strength of 130 GRP men way back in 1980, when the train traffic was much lesser. In 2017, the GRP strength at Chennai Central is around 40 and they depute two GRP men each to eight night trains for escort. RPF has already submitted a detailed requirement project to Railway Board but the files are gathering dust at the headquarters. 

“We have projected the actual manpower needed to carry out effective night train escort. Also, there was a suggestion to have CCTV cameras inside train compartments,” K K Ashraf, senior divisional security commissioner, RPF Chennai told DTNEXT.

At present, RPF provides escort to all night trains originating from Chennai. The Chennai unit of RPF will provide escorts to night trains in three directions, Chennai-Jolarpet, Chennai-Villupuram and Chennai-Gudur. “In each train, we provide four armed guards as escort. Each train will have 20 to 24 rakes and six armed guards per train should be sufficient,” Ashraf said.

However, RPF is yet to get separate allotment of guards for escort duty and only long distance night trains are covered by the escorts. “We should be having night escorts at EMUs as well. For that, we need at least 1,200 personnel a day,” the official added.

GRP personnel on condition of anonymity said that the condition of the force was in a shambles. “Our strength is abysmally low while the train traffic and passenger volume have gone up considerably. In a main station like Egmore, which had a sanctioned strength of 120 personnel in the 1980s, now hardly has 20 GRP personnel. The availability of staff in smaller stations is negligible,” a GRP official said.

Sources said the government used to conduct direct recruitment to Railway Police till 1985, but the practice was later discontinued. Now the GRP personnel are posted from the local police and that never happens. The local police are already short staffed and they do not bother to depute personnel to GRP. 

“The amount of work for GRP personnel is enormous as we have to attend to thefts, accidents and any other eventuality inside the railway station. In addition to this, we are taking care of the security aspect as well,” the GRP official added.