Indian Railways has decided to upgrade and strengthen its Railway Protection Force (RPF) by pumping funds for procurement of the latest security equipment, creation of additional manpower, upgradation of training centres, specialised training in training centres of other Forces.
The force is used to prevent and detect crime and to maintenance law & order in station premises.
Speaking to the parliament, Minister of State for Railways K. H. Muniyappa said:
“On an average, 1,275 important Mail/Express trains are escorted by the RPF personnel and 2,200 Mail/Express trains are escorted by the GRP personnel daily.
“Based on crime trend analysis and availability of man power, escorts are provided after consultation between the RPF and the GRP.
“Security has been identified as one of the priority areas of Indian Railways. Various steps have been taken to strengthen/upgrade the RPF, which includes procurement of modern security related equipment, creation of additional posts, establishment of new Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) battalions, setting up of commando training centres, networking of security control rooms, setting up of all India Security Help Line.”
According to a recent estimate, the recruitment process for filling more than 14,189 posts in various ranks in the RPF, of which 5,134 are newly created non-gazetted posts has already commenced.
During last three years, Railways has recruited 1,393 constables, 65 public prosecutors and assistant public prosecutors.
