RPF to Get Body Cameras and Fingerprint Checks on Suspects in Rs 124 Crore Plan for Passenger Safety

Raipur: A major step is being taken to equip the Railway Protection Force (RPF) with modern technology to further strengthen the safety of rail passengers. About Rs 124 crore will be spent on buying body-worn cameras to strengthen surveillance, resolving the walkie-talkie network problem, and other modern security equipment. This includes the NAFIS fingerprint system to help identify history-sheeters faster.

The main aim is to improve monitoring of personnel on duty, crime control and impartial investigation of passengers' complaints.

Entire incident to be recorded on body cameras

Body-worn cameras play an important role in complaints about ticket checking on trains, seat disputes, misbehaviour, illegal collection of money or bribery. These cameras will be worn on the uniforms of personnel and will record audio and video during duty. This will provide digital evidence for an impartial investigation of an incident.

The recordings will help curb arbitrary conduct by staff. They will also be useful in bringing out the truth in cases of false allegations against personnel.

NAFIS to speed up identification of criminals

The National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) will play an important role in the security arrangement. It helps match fingerprints with the records of criminals across the country. After a suspect's fingerprints are taken, they can be matched against the available database to check the person's identity and criminal background.

Hi-tech cameras to keep watch on suspicious activity

Face recognition and AI-based CCTV cameras will increase the capacity to watch for suspicious activity at crowded platforms, entry gates and waiting rooms. This will help prevent theft, drugging of passengers with spiked food or drink (zahar-khurani) and other crimes during festivals and the peak season.

Preparation to stay in contact even without network

Weak mobile network on moving trains and in remote rail sections makes it difficult to pass on security-related information. Modern walkie-talkies will ensure quick help even in no-network zones on a moving train.

The mobile network often drops on the Bilaspur-Jharsuguda route or the Bastar forest route, and railway help does not work. With new high-power walkie-talkies and communication hardware, the train escort party will stay connected in real time with the next station or the control room.

According to Raman Kumar, Senior Divisional Security Commissioner (DSC), Raipur, the RPF is using hi-tech technology to protect passengers and catch criminals. Walkie-talkies and body-worn cameras have arrived in the division. A further proposal has been sent as required. The remaining technical items will also be started in the division soon.