| ‘Funds will not be a constraint for strengthening and modernising security arrangements’ |
New Delhi, February 26
The echo of the recent blasts on the Samjhauta Express and last year’s Mumbai train blasts was felt in the railway budget with railway minister Lalu Prasad today assuring the nation that an integrated security system was being put in place to ensure security in the railways.
Stating that the government had enhanced the security on the Pakistan-bound Samjhauta and Thar express trains, the railways minister said besides one travelling ticket examiner in each compartment of the friendship trains, at least two Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel would be deployed in each of the bogies of these two trains.
“Funds will not be a constraint for strengthening and modernising security arrangements. In order to provide necessary equipment and other resources for the railways security works, adequate funds are being made available from passenger amenity and machinery and plant plan heads,” Lalu told newspersons while addressing the customary press conference after presenting the railway budget in Parliament.
Stating that there would not be any “samjhauta” (compromise) on security, the railway minister asserted: “It (ensuring security) is not the sole responsibility of the railways. We have to take the help of state governments. So, we are putting up an integrated security system in place in consultation and help from state governments and intelligence wings to maintain constant vigil.”
