'Rlys has not implemented Integrated Security System'

In a scathing criticism Public Accounts Committee of the Lok Sabha has exposed serious lapses on the part of Indian Railways for not implementing Integrated Security System in the suburban rail services in various divisions of the Railways.

The system was conceptualised after the 2006 serial bomb blasts in Mumbai suburban train. 2006 Mumbai train bombings were a series of seven bomb blasts that took place over a period of 11 minutes on the Suburban Railway in Mumbai. 209 passengers lost their lives and about 714 persons were severely injured. The PAC in its report presented during the last Budget Session observed that security system has not been completed at all in most of the Zonal Railways like Eastern, Central, South Eastern and Western Railways. The committee noted the major flaws in security system pertained to non-functional Door Frame Metal detectors, multiple entry and exit points at suburban stations, non-manning of Door Frame metal detectors, Non installation of CCTV Cameras.

These are the basic security requirements which should be taken care of at all Railway major stations on Suburban services especially after the horrific bomb blasts of 2006 in Mumbai. PAC directed the Railway ministry to carry out an internal security audit of all suburban stations and present status report within a period of six months to the committee relating to security features provided as per extant guidelines of integrated security system.

The most tragic thing Committee has found that family members of the passengers died and injured are not getting compensations as declared by the Railways time to time. As on 31st July of 2016 pendency of accident and untoward incident claim stands staggering number of 37699,with highest pendency at Lucknow and Mumbai benches of Railway claims Tribunal of 9359 and 6055 cases respectively.