Security concerns loom over Guwahati Railway Station: Are passengers safe?

Guwahati Railway Station stands as a pivotal transit point connecting the Northeast region with the rest of the country. Boasting a diverse array of trains including the high-speed Vande Bharat and the scenic Vistadome, the station serves as a lifeline for thousands of passengers daily. However, an investigations by India Today NE have unearthed significant security lapses that threaten the safety and confidence of commuters and authorities alike.

Located in the heart of Guwahati, the railway station witnesses a staggering influx of passengers, estimated between 30,000 to 40,000 daily. Despite its prominence, the station struggles with outdated infrastructure and inadequate security measures, exposing vulnerabilities that compromise public safety.

During a comprehensive visit, India Today NE observed critical deficiencies in security protocols at Guwahati Railway Station. The most alarming observation was the frequent bypassing of baggage scanners by passengers, despite the presence of CCTV surveillance. This lax enforcement of security procedures poses a significant threat, given the station's critical role in regional and national connectivity.

According to officials from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police Force (GRPF), Guwahati Railway Station operates with limited security infrastructure. The current setup includes only one operational baggage scanner, which, due to maintenance concerns, cannot operate continuously to screen all incoming luggage effectively. This operational limitation forces security personnel to prioritize checks on suspected individuals rather than conducting comprehensive screenings.

Speaking to India Today NE, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Government Railway Police Force (GRPF) provided insights into the current security measures. "At the entrance to Guwahati Railway Station, scanner machines are operated by RPF personnel to ensure railway security. Additionally, GRPF personnel assist RPF in combating pocket theft, while other security personnel monitor train interiors," the OC explained.

The situation is particularly dire on the Paltan Bazar side of the station. "On the Paltan Bazar side, GRPF personnel are stationed to conduct checks on suspected individuals round the clock through regular patrolling. However, due to the high volume of railway passengers, manual checks are conducted as scanner machines are not available on this side. The lack of infrastructure, including baggage checking machines and CCTV cameras, exacerbates security challenges," the OC added.

Requests for additional CCTV cameras and infrastructure upgrades have been made by both GRPF and RPF but have not been fulfilled. At the railway station's entry points, GRPF supports RPF operations, with responsibility also falling on railway officials like Ticket Collectors (TTs) for ensuring passenger scrutiny, though manpower constraints limit their deployment.

"To address these issues, there's a pressing need for increased manpower allocation from the railway department and more officer-level duties to be assigned. Despite these challenges, no major security threats have been reported at present," the OC stated.

RPF Inspector of the Guwahati Railway Station while speaking to India Today NE said that in recent times, the volume of passenger traffic has surged, but the infrastructure and resources have not kept pace. 

The lack of walk-through metal detectors and inadequate CCTV coverage further compounds security challenges, leaving critical entry points vulnerable to potential threats.

The absence of modern security measures like walk-through metal detectors and functional baggage scanners raises serious concerns among passengers and authorities. 

At the Paltan Bazar side of the station, where open entry and exit are prevalent, security checks rely heavily on manual inspections due to the absence of a functional baggage scanner. This deficiency significantly undermines efforts to maintain robust security protocols, especially during peak travel times.

In response to escalating security concerns, the RPF and GRPF have intensified efforts to mitigate risks and maintain vigilance across the station premises. GRPF personnel stationed at entry points work in tandem with RPF counterparts to conduct thorough baggage checks and monitor suspicious activities. However, the shortage of manpower and outdated security equipment continue to impede their efforts.

As concerns mount over the station's vulnerability to security threats, immediate action from railway authorities is the need of the hour to ensure the safeyt of the raiwlay station. Comprehensive reforms, including infrastructure upgrades and increased manpower allocation, are crucial to fortifying security protocols and restoring public confidence in the station's safety measures.

Guwahati Railway Station, despite its pivotal role in regional connectivity and the nation's rail network, confronts formidable challenges in ensuring robust security measures. The urgent need for infrastructure upgrades, including modernized scanning equipment and enhanced CCTV coverage is paramount to addressing existing vulnerabilities and ensuring passenger safety.