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New Delhi: Indian Railways is planning to airport-like security at railway stations. Just like airports, Railways is planning to seal stations at least 20 minutes prior departure to complete security check process. The passengers will have to arrive 15-20 minutes before their scheduled departures, reported PTI. The new security plan with high-end technology has already been put in motion at Allahabad, ahead of the Kumbh Mela which begins this month.

The report also mentioned that the process is also in motion at Hoobly railway station in Karnataka and a blueprint for 202 more stations is ready for implementation as well, the report stated citing Railway Protection Force Director General Arun Kumar. He told the news agency, "The plan is to seal the railway stations. It is primarily about identifying openings and to determine how many can be closed. There are areas which will be closed through permanent boundary walls, others will be manned by RPF personnel and yet others will have collapsible gates.

"At each entry point, there will be random security checks. However, unlike at airports, passengers need not come hours in advance, but just 15-20 minutes ahead of their departure times to ensure that they are not delayed because of the security process," he further added. Kumar also said that only security will increase, not the presence of security personnel. Since they are investing in technology, manpower requirement will go down, he mentioned.

It may be noted that all the measures are part of a security plan under the Integrated Security System (ISS) which was approved back in 2016 in order to strengthen surveillance mechanism at about 202 railway stations. The ISS includes CCTV cameras, access control, personal and baggage screening system and bomb detection and disposal system which together provide multiple checking of passengers and baggage from the point of entry in the station premises till boarding of the train. The cost of the ISS project is pegged at Rs 385.06 crore, the report added.

Kumar further told PTI, "The security plan envisages a layered security check where passengers will be scrutinised even before they enter the station premises to ease the pressure at stations during peak hours." The security check will include real-time face recognition software which will alert RPF in case there are any known offenders. All the passengers will not be checked by security. According to the report, every eight or ninth passenger at random will undergo the security check process upon their arrival at the station.

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