Delhi Metro, railways network witnessed over 12k crimes in 2017

New Delhi: The Delhi Metro and Indian Railways act as the lifeline for many Delhiites, as these two major transport networks connect numerous areas of the national Capital with each other and neighbouring cities.

These transport networks are also happy hunting ground for criminals, with Delhi Police claiming that over 12,000 crimes were recorded in 2017 in the Metro and at railway stations.

According to police data, in areas under the jurisdiction of railway police stations, a decrease was seen in criminal activities, as 1,539 IPC (Indian Penal Code) cases were registered in 2017, compared to 2,848 in 2016.

The railway police solved 96 per cent cases of heinous crimes, which included 100 per cent solved cases of dacoity, attempt to murder, robbery and rape, and 86 per cent solved cases of murder.

The railway police – headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Railways) Parwaiz Ahmed – looks after 45 railway stations and 150 kilometres of railway tracks, through its seven police stations spread across the city.

The DCP told Millennium Post that vulnerable spots were identified and tight policing brought down the crime rate in railways.

''As a part of crime controlling measures, police personnel were deployed in areas which are abandoned and close to railway tracks, where train generally slow down or stop due to operational reasons while entering Delhi," said Ahmed.

Meanwhile, Delhi Metro Rail police looks after more than 150 Metro stations and 190 kilometres of Delhi Metro tracks.

There are 16 Metro police stations, operating with 240 personnel, which cater to more than 29 lakh commuters every day.

"The volume and density of commuters are so large that the task of policing at crowded Metro stations has become quite challenging," said a Metro police official.

The city police, in a bid to increase security for women and control petty crimes like theft, often patrol different stations in plainclothes.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Metro) Pankaj Singh said that in 2017, over 12,000 cases were registered, which include e-FIRs. Most cases were of pick-pocketing and bag lifting and 20 per cent cases were solved.

"Due to effective policing and presence and alertness of staff, no untoward incident happened in the year and crime rate also decreased," said the DCP.

Around 9,003 persons were challaned for travelling in ladies coaches and 2,399 persons were challened for travelling in a drunken state in Metro trains in 2017. Eight new police stations were also made operational for Metro police.