RPF may not be manning Railway assets anymore
The rail authorities are mulling getting Maharashtra Security Force and Home Guard to secure the rail yards, workshops and other non-core areas, which is otherwise being monitored by the RPF.
If it gets approved then this will be for the first time that railway assets will no longer be manned by the Railway Protection Force (RPF). The rail authorities are mulling getting Maharashtra Security Force and Home Guard to secure the rail yards, workshops and other non-core areas, which is otherwise being monitored by the RPF.
While the Maharashtra Security Force is currently managing security for the Mumbai Metro Rail, the Home Guard is assisting the Government Railway Police and RPF at railway stations especially in manning the ladies compartments at night. The rail authorities are thinking of posting them in non-core areas in railways and divert them to railway stations.
"The whole idea is to remove the RPF from non-core areas to core areas like railway stations where their presence is more needed. We are yet to finalise this idea," said a senior official from Central Railway.
Rakes, their components and parts are manufactured, assembled and maintained at railway workshops. The periodic overhauling of a rake – that happens once in 18 months – in which an entire rake undergoes checks and necessary parts get replaced happens inside a workshop.
Number speak
Central RailwayVacancy: 200 approx.Strength: 2100
Western RailwayVacancy: 800Strength: 1200