Integrated Security System for Tiruchi Junction

As one among select stations in the country to be brought under Integrated Security System (ISS) plan drawn up by the railway administration, the Tiruchi Railway Junction is poised for enhanced security measures and monitoring for averting any sabotage attempts or terror attacks.

The integrated security system would be executed in 140 railway stations across the country at a whopping cost of Rs. 800 crore. The security plan would be implemented in phases. Chennai, Coimbatore, Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam in Southern Railway limits have been identified for the first phase of implementation.

Tiruchi along with three more stations – Madurai, Mangalore and Kozhikode - has been identified for second phase of implementation of the ISS under which hi-tech security equipment are proposed to be installed in the chosen stations.

For putting in place a state-of-the-art security system for the Tiruchi railway station, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) authorities here have sought sophisticated equipment to enhance vigil and provide effective access control in and around the station premises.

A detailed integrated security system proposal has already been forwarded by the RPF authorities here to their zonal headquarters at Chennai from where it would be sent to the Railway Board.

In the proposal, the RPF authorities have proposed construction of boundary wall with barbed fencing on either sides of the station as part of the access control move.

The authorities have sought fixing of intruder alarms in the boundary wall.

Hi-tech gadgets including vehicle scanners to detect explosive substances in vehicles entering and leaving the station, multi-zone door frame metal detectors, closed circuit television sets for enhancing surveillance in platforms, subways, VIP siding, parking and circulating area and a scanner exclusively for installation in the parcel office have also been sought, say RPF authorities.

This apart, the RPF officials have also proposed for a centralised control room to monitor the movements in the station premises through the surveillance cameras and an exclusive Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and Dog Squad for Tiruchi railway junction to act immediately in times of emergency. At present, the BDDS of the RPF takes care of the entire Tiruchi Railway Division.

The fundamental objective of the ISS is to step up security measures at the stations and ensure safety of the travelling public, says a senior RPF official here.