Lessons not learnt from Mumbai blasts

Two days after the incident, lax security still ails the New Delhi Railway Station, one of the busiest and most vulnerable spots in the Capital

Lessons not learnt from Mumbai blasts

Two days after the incident, lax security still ails the New Delhi Railway Station, one of the busiest and most vulnerable spots in the Capital

In the wake of the recent serial blasts in Mumbai, Delhi was put on high alert. It, however, seems all precautions were taken on paper only. Two days after the blast, the MiD DAY reporter reached the New Delhi Railway Station, one of the busiest and most vulnerable spots in the Capital, only to witness dismal security arrangements.

Off track:u00a0The New Delhi Railway Station

The X-ray machine used to check luggage of commuters at the Paharganj terminal of the New Delhi Railway Station was non-functional. Not only that, just two security personnel were deployed to check the luggage of thousands of people who throng the station each day. Probably sensing the futility of the effort, one of the guards did not even bother to get up from his chair to give a cursory glance to the luggage.

The X-ray machine and metal detectoru00a0that aren't
working. Pics/Mid Day

Disbelief
Tanushree Mundra (17), on her way to Kolkata on the Howrah from New Delhi-Howrah Rajdhani, said, "It is unbelievable. Is this how they protect the citizens from threats? No one is checking the luggage. Passengers just come and go. What will happen if one of them is a terrorist?"

Leaving door open
Rajiv Mahato, who had come to drop off his relatives at the station, rued, "How can they be so lenient in checking the luggage? Mistakes like these lead to what we know as terrorist attacks. When people die, they say it won't happen next time." Meanwhile, speaking to MiD DAY, DCP, Crime and Railway, Bhairav Singh Gujjar, claimed nine X-ray machines have been installed at the railway station, of which only one is defunct. "Also, 64 close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed at the New Delhi Railway Station, of which 10 are not functioning," he said.

Passing the buck as usual, the DCP further said the Railway Protection Force (RPF) was chiefly responsible for the security at the railway station. "We assist the RPF only on special alert," he said.