15 hrs ago
Sealdah Division Plans 270 Ex-Servicemen for Durga Puja Security
Sealdah Division expects many people to travel by train during Durga Puja.
It plans to hire 270 former servicemen to help keep stations safe for 90 days.
They are expected to start by Panchami, after their documents and health are checked.
They will work with Railway Protection Force staff at platforms and other places.
The division also plans to add about 1,200 RPF personnel.
Cameras at more than 100 stations will send live pictures to a control room at Sealdah Station.
If a station becomes too crowded, staff may guide passengers to a holding area in a parking lot.
The plan follows last year's one-day passenger count of 21 lakh at Sealdah Station on Saptami.
Sealdah Division plans to hire 270 ex-servicemen for 90 days during Durga Puja.
The recruits are expected to begin work by Panchami, after document checks and medical screening.
They will work alongside Railway Protection Force personnel at platforms, level-crossing gates and other locations.
Around 1,200 additional RPF personnel are also planned for deployment during the festival.
CCTV feeds from more than 100 stations will be monitored at Sealdah Station, with a parking lot designated as a crowd holding area.
- Who
- Sealdah Division, its security wing, ex-servicemen and Railway Protection Force personnel.
- What
- The division plans to hire 270 ex-servicemen and deploy around 1,200 additional RPF personnel for festival security.
- Where
- Railway stations under Sealdah Division, including Sealdah Station.
- When
- During the Durga Puja season; the ex-servicemen are expected to start by Panchami and serve for 90 days.
- Why
- To manage anticipated passenger crowds and strengthen safety and security during Durga Puja.
Key facts
- Planned ex-servicemen hires
- 270
- Planned service period
- 90 days
- Expected start
- By Panchami of Durga Puja
- Additional RPF personnel planned
- Around 1,200
- Stations with CCTV cameras
- More than 100
- Sealdah Station footfall last year
- 21 lakh passengers in one day on Saptami
- Previous year's ex-servicemen hires
- Around 208
Quotes
A railway official
An official speaking about Sealdah Division’s Durga Puja security arrangements.
“We have CCTV cameras at more than 100 stations. Live feeds will be relayed to the control room at Sealdah Station, where the situation will be monitored. If the crowd swells at any station, we will instruct the RPF to move passengers away from the platforms and guide them to the holding area created in the existing parking lot. Security personnel will also carefully manage crowd movement at entry and exit points.”
thestatesman.com
“Apart from the regular security personnel, around 1,200 additional RPF personnel will be deployed at various locations specifically for the Puja season. We have received one company from the RPF and will receive the remaining personnel soon.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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