By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, DEC 18, 2024: THE 5th All India Conference of Government Railway Police Chiefs with Ministry of Railways, coordinated by Railway Protection Force (RPF), successfully concluded today at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event brought together senior officials and security leaders to deliberate on passenger safety, crime mitigation strategies and critical manpower requirements for enhanced railway security.

Modernizing Security Infrastructure

The conference commenced with a keynote address by Satish Kumar, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of the Railway Board, who emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach between the GRP and the RPF in ensuring the safety of millions of railway passengers across the country, with a special focus on the passenger grievances and registration of cases. He has also appreciated the efforts of RPF for ensuring the protection of women and children in railways through various initiatives such as Operation Nanhe Farishte, Operation AAHT and Meri Saheli. In his welcome address, DG RPF Manoj Yadava stressed the need for modernizing security infrastructure to address emerging challenges, particularly in handling rising passengerrcrimes.

New criminal laws reshape railway policing

A significant part of the discussions revolved around the comparative analysis of passenger complaints registered on the Rail Madad portal vis-à-vis actual cases being registered, highlighting the need for streamlining the processes to tackle major crimes happening in railways effectively. The implementation of new criminal laws was a key focus , highlighting the need for efficient handling of Zero FIRs and the integration of e-FIR systems to facilitate faster crime reporting, streamlined evidence management, and effective investigation across states.

GRP Manpower and infrastructure

Another key focus area was the discussion on various infrastructure and manpower related matters of railways. The participants explored the creation of uniform benchmarks to determine manpower and infrastructure requirements of GRP, factoring in the diverse geographical conditions and the complexities of railway operations. A committee has been nominated for determining these benchmarks in a timebound manner. The session underscored the need for a structured, scalable framework to meet the security demands of India's extensive railway network.

In his closing remarks, DG RPF, Manoj Yadava commended the collaborative spirit of the conference, stating, "This conference has reaffirmed our collective resolve to strengthen railway security. By addressing the challenges of manpower, modernizing our systems and improving our crime response mechanisms, we are taking decisive steps toward ensuring safer travel for millions of passengers. The role of state GRPs and their partnership with the Indian Railways is pivotal in this journey and together we must continue to set new benchmarks for railway safety."

The conference concluded on a forward-looking note, with participants agreeing on actionable solutions, including enhanced technology adoption, better coordination between stakeholders and a reinforced focus on passenger safety as the foremost priority.