To improve passenger safety, the state government approved the establishment of four new railway police stations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
According to a government resolution (GR) issued by the home department, the new police stations will come up at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Bhayandar, Ambarnath and Asangaon railway stations. The newly established facilities will be staffed with dedicated personnel to enhance security. According to the GR, LTT will have 101 personnel, a 58-member strong force will serve theAsangaon station, Ambarnath will have 51 personnel, while the Bhayandar station will have a staff of 69.
The Government Railway Police had earlier submitted a proposal for setting up these new police stations. The officials said that the decision was made due to the increasing passenger load on the suburban railway network, especially the Mira Road-Bhayandar section, and the rising crime rates.
Most crimes registered under the jurisdiction of the railway police involve mobile and baggage theft along with pickpocketing. There have also been cases of sexual harassment of women on railway premises. The existing railway police stations are located far away, making passengers hesitant to report crimes, said the officials.
