Workers decorate the Defence Ministry with light bulbs ahead of Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 13, 2016. (AFP photo)
New Delhi:
With security preparedness in the run up to the Republic Day celebrations in the national capital, a two-layered frisking of passengers and their baggage has begun in the Delhi Metro used by lakhs of commuters every day.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), mandated to secure over 150 operational stations in the national capital region, has also deployed an increased strength of uniformed troops and plainclothes "spotters" at select stations to keep a "hawk eye" on possible trouble makers.
"The personnel on ground have been asked to step up their vigil and launch surprise checks. In order to better secure passengers and Delhi Metro premises, a second layer of physical security has been introduced at a number of stations which entail an additional personnel frisking commuters just before entering the door-frame metal detector and a repeat scanning of baggages after being screened by the X-ray scanner.
"But it has been made clear that these measures are based on risk-profiling of people intending to take the Delhi Metro and keeping in mind that commuters are not subjected to undue hassles and delay," official sources involved with the security operations of the rapid rail network said.
They said armed CISF personnel have not only been deployed to take charge of the bullet-proof 'morchas' inside the stations but a number of them are posted to keep an eye on the exits near the automated fare collection gates and the area where the paid and un-paid sections of the stations meet.
"A fresh strength of personnel of the intelligence wing of the force have also been deputed to smartly mix themselves in the crowds and stations area to keep an eye on possible trouble-makers or on any untoward activity here," they said.
CISF officials said they would seek the "cooperation" of travellers as the security drive has been "intensified", especially at inter-change and stations that see a heavy footfall like Rajiv Chowk, Pragati Maidan, Chandani chowk and many others.
"The measures are being deployed randomly. There are certain security drills that we keep doing during such times," they said.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), mandated to secure over 150 operational stations in the national capital region, has also deployed an increased strength of uniformed troops and plainclothes "spotters" at select stations to keep a "hawk eye" on possible trouble makers.
"The personnel on ground have been asked to step up their vigil and launch surprise checks. In order to better secure passengers and Delhi Metro premises, a second layer of physical security has been introduced at a number of stations which entail an additional personnel frisking commuters just before entering the door-frame metal detector and a repeat scanning of baggages after being screened by the X-ray scanner.
"But it has been made clear that these measures are based on risk-profiling of people intending to take the Delhi Metro and keeping in mind that commuters are not subjected to undue hassles and delay," official sources involved with the security operations of the rapid rail network said.
They said armed CISF personnel have not only been deployed to take charge of the bullet-proof 'morchas' inside the stations but a number of them are posted to keep an eye on the exits near the automated fare collection gates and the area where the paid and un-paid sections of the stations meet.
"A fresh strength of personnel of the intelligence wing of the force have also been deputed to smartly mix themselves in the crowds and stations area to keep an eye on possible trouble-makers or on any untoward activity here," they said.
CISF officials said they would seek the "cooperation" of travellers as the security drive has been "intensified", especially at inter-change and stations that see a heavy footfall like Rajiv Chowk, Pragati Maidan, Chandani chowk and many others.
"The measures are being deployed randomly. There are certain security drills that we keep doing during such times," they said.
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