Meanwhile, Election Commission (EC) has directed the railway board to ensure "smooth and hassle-free" train movement for more than 3.4 lakh security personnel being deployed for the upcoming general and assembly elections with specific instructions to avoid recurrence of delays noticed in the past

The poll panel has sought setting up of a 24x7 control room which will oversee this mega cross-country movement of the troops over the next few months and to make adequate arrangements for fans and air conditioning in coaches, meals, medical facilities at stations on route, availability of special and splinter bogies and pest control in the wagons during this exercise period

The EC, in a communication issued to the railway board last week, said "a large-scale" deployment of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and police forces drawn from various states for election purpose was essential as they will undertake and ensure area domination, confidence building measures, poll day duties and guarding of EVM/centres, etc

As many as 3,400 companies of the CAPFs and state police forces have been requisitioned by the EC for ensuring free and fair polls during the upcoming general elections and assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim

"Deployment of CAPFs to various states/UTs involves rail movement and the ministry of railways has therefore a significant role to play in induction and de-induction of these forces," the EC communication accessed by PTI said

It expressed a particular concern over "delay" in movement of forces and "inconvenience" faced by its personnel, which was raised by the ministry of home affairs (MHA), during rail travel for election duty in 2022 and 2023

The railways should address these concerns so as to avoid recurrence of such incidents during train journey of security forces. The issue of availability of rolling stock recurred in the recent elections in November-December 2023, resulting into delay in movement of forces, the EC said