Missing CCTV cameras leave Karnal railway station exposed

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, January 30

With multiple entries, missing CCTV cameras and lack of high-mast lights at platforms, security at the Karnal railway station, one of the oldest railway stations built by the British in 1892, is at risk.

Moreover, there is no wall or security fence on the boundary of the station, giving an easy passage to miscreants.

Besides, residents complain about the non-functioning of the metal detector. They alleged that these become functional at the arrival of a VIP or higher authorities of the Railways.

The passengers claim it appears that the authorities are least bothered about security at the railway station, which was once on the model railway stations list.

Around 15,000 passengers board different trains from this station every day. The station administration had received several letters threatening to cause damage to the railway station in the past, said sources.

The Citizen Grievances Committee (CGC) has raised the lapses in security as well as lack of basic facilities at several platforms. They had even apprised the railway authorities by sending letters and personal meetings, requesting them to re-install CCTV cameras and providing basic amenities to the passengers.

“We have been raising this issue for the past more than a year and apprised all the authorities about the security lapses, including the missing CCTV cameras, multiple entries due to non-availability of fencing and wall, but so far, no action has been initiated,” said Satinder Mohan Kumar, chairman, CGC.

“I, along with CGC members and city residents, had a meeting with the Railways authorities. The CGC had also written a request letter to CM Manohar Lal Khattar few days back, but to no avail,” he added.

Sources in the Railways claim that 10 cameras had been installed few years back, within a few months, those stopped working. Those were removed and never replaced.

Rajiv Arora, a social crusader, alleged it could be a nexus between some employees and criminals.

Admitting that the CCTV cameras at the station had been removed earlier, Narinder Kumar, station superintendent, said they had sent a proposal to the higher authorities to install new CCTV cameras.

Dheeraj Kumar Setia, SP Railways, said that CCTV cameras would be installed under the Nirbhaya Fund to ensure safety of passengers at all railway stations. “I will get the non-functioning of the metal detectors checked,” he added.