IGP reviews passenger security at Vijayawada railway station

Inspector-General of Police (Railways) B. Raja Kumari reviewed passenger security at Vijayawada railway station and neighbouring stations on Saturday.

She stressed the need for better coordination among the Government Railway Police (GRP), Railway Protection Force (RPF) and officers of various wings of Indian Railways.

Ms. Raja Kumari inspected the police station, waiting halls, lounges, platforms, foot overbridges, moving trains, eateries, entry points, ticket booking and reservation counters, and other areas of the station.

Deputy Superintendent of Railway Police R.G. Jaya Surya and GRP Inspector J.V. Ramana informed her that 190 CCTV cameras had been installed at Vijayawada railway station and connected to the main servers.

“A team of officers will monitor the CCTV cameras round the clock from various points in the station and direct the beat police to prevent crimes,” Mr. Ramana said.

The IGP directed the Deputy Superintendent of Railway Police to keep a close watch on strangers and suspicious luggage on moving trains, platforms and waiting halls at Kondapalli, Rayanapadu, Madhura Nagar, Gunadala and Ramavarappadu railway stations. She also interacted with passengers on platforms and enquired about security on trains.

“Intelligence, special branch and beat police personnel should travel on trains and move around stations to keep track of robbers, attention-diversion gangs, pickpockets and snatchers. The police should alert passengers about suspicious movements through public address systems,” she said.

She directed the police to remain vigilant and provide adequate security to devotees visiting Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam for the Dasara festivities.

The IGP also enquired about the festival rush and the route map prepared to facilitate the movement of passengers during the Dasara celebrations.