Existing Security System over Indian Railways

The existing security system over Indian Railways has three principal players, with overlapping spheres of responsibilities: -

1) Government Railway Police. - It is part of the state police entrusted with the task of maintenance of law and order over railway premises and prevention, detection and prosecution of offences under various penal acts. At present, the GRP has strength of 36,000 personnel all over India. IR pays 50% of the expenditure incurred on GRP to the state Govt.

2) Civil Police: - In some of the states, the jurisdiction of GRP is confined to the station limits. The civil police who discharges the responsibility of crime control and maintenance of law and order looks after the railway premises outside station area and in the block section. In addition, the criminals and subversive elements targeting the railway system come from and disappear into the civil areas under the jurisdiction of civil police. Hence any planning for security of the railway system must include the civil police within its ambit.

3) Railway Protection Force-The RPF is the security wing of IR. Earlier it was entrusted with the task of protection and safeguarding of Railway Assets. It has been given additional responsibility of prevention of crime against passengers and passenger areas by amendments in Railways Act and RPF act with effect from 1st July 2004. RPF has taken up train escorting and station guarding subsequently.
The areas of responsibilities of these agencies have been found overlapping as said earlier. The GRP lacks resources and modern equipments and is not found responsive and accountable. However, Railway security breaches have of late become national and international headlines. Indian Railways needs a responsive, accountable and effective security system to meet the challenges posed by the terror strikes.