Delhi Police wants 2,000 personnel for Metro security, seeks MHA nod

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Delhi Police wants 2,000 personnel for Metro security, seeks MHA nod

Stating that the deployment of the Delhi Police across Metro stations in the capital was inadequate, Delhi Police's Railways department has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), seeking a ten-fold increase in deployment. Police said this way, there will be more visibility of security personnel and that it would have a positive effect on lowering incidents of crime.
According to police, there is a deployment of only 200 personnel across the 130 Metro stations in the city.

A letter to the MHA by Delhi Police has sought 2,000 personnel for Metro stations.

Police sources said the department has also sought an increase in women staff deployed at the stations.

The strength of women police personnel deployed at the Metro stations is 30. The department has sought a strength of 130 women personnel.

Sources said the proposal made a few months ago, has been pending with the MHA. Sources said several meetings have been held, but the sanction is yet to be given. Police sources said as soon as the sanction is given, fresh recruitment of personnel may be considered.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is responsible for security at Metro stations.

A senior police officer said, "The CISF is responsible for

securing Metro stations across the city. However, they are mainly posted at the entrances to the stations. While the CISF is specially trained in anti-terror and anti-hijack measures, the Delhi Police is primarily responsible for prevention and detection of crime. Since police personnel are trained in this, their deployment at such critical locations is important."

The Metro has six interchange stations — Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Central Secretariat, Inderlok, New Delhi and Kirti Nagar.

"While incidents of pick-pocketing and molestation are high in these areas, there is requirement of extra staff. If a passenger comes with a complaint, the Delhi Police will be in a better position to handle the case, considering their training. With increased cases of terror threats and crimes, there needs to be adequate presence of the police at these critical institutions," the officer said.

Newsline had on Monday reported that the Delhi Police had sought setting up of police booths in 17 Metro stations, including the six inter-change stations.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Railways) Sanjay Bhatia had said, "We wrote to the DMRC recently, requesting them to set up police booths at 17 stations. The DMRC has accepted the proposal and begun designing the booths, which will become operational soon."

Police had said the assistance booths near the stations will help passengers register cases immediately without having to travel far to reach a police station.

"The advantage of the police assistance booths will be that if a passenger approaches the police with a complaint at a booth, the FIR will be registered then and there. Police visibility will also increase and this may have a positive effect on lowering incidents of crime" an officer had told Newsline on Monday.

Delhi Police wants 2,000 personnel for Metro security, seeks MHA nod - Indian Express