MMRDA officials to meet home department, chief secretary to discuss security set up for metro corridor, stations after security agencies warn of a possible terror strike
MMRDA officials seem to be in a quandary over who would guard the 11.07-km-long Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) metro rail corridor after it becomes operational by the year-end.
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The MMRDA was mulling over deploying private security guards, but considering that the Metro could become a possible terror target, its authorities decided to discuss the security issue with the home department and the chief secretary.
Officialspeak
MMRDA Commissioner UPS Madan said, “Deploying private security guards at the stations was a part of the original plan, but the central security agencies and the central home department wrote to us stating that there should be more security along the entire corridor and metro stations.”
Sources said the central home department specified the kind of security equipment the MMRDA needs to install to secure the corridor and stations. The list includes: explosives scanners, bomb detection and disposable squad, metal detectors and security.
They said another question which remains unanswered, is who would bear the expenses of maintaining the security set up. An MMRDA official said, “When it comes to security, we think a government agency has the expertise in dealing with security situations and should take the responsibility of manning the metro corridor.”
Security at delhi metro
>> Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) mans the Delhi metro
>> 5,000 CISF personnel guard the entire metro network
>> 800 is the strength of female personnelu00a0