Himachal Pradesh GRP Faces Manpower Shortage Amid Rising Rail Traffic...Amendments have added additional tasks to GRP....
SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh Government Railway Police (GRP) is experiencing a severe shortage of personnel despite an increase in railway traffic and commuter numbers.
Currently, 70 officers from the state police are assigned to GRP duties to maintain law and order and to investigate crimes within the railway jurisdiction.
Himachal Pradesh has two GRP police stations—one in Shimla and the other in Kangra—along with five outposts stationed at various railway junctions.
Additional SP Traffic, Tourist, and Railway, Narvir Singh Rathour, emphasized the need to boost manpower. "With more trains and commuters, we need to increase our police strength," he stated.
Rathour also highlighted that the outposts in Una and Kandrori should be upgraded to full-fledged GRP stations to better handle the growing demands.
The responsibilities of the GRP are similar to those of the District Police but with additional duties.
They maintain order at railway stations and on trains, manage passenger traffic, control vehicular movement within station premises, and handle emergencies.
They also ensure order in passenger trains, prevent overcrowding, and supervise loaded trains at stations.
Other tasks include arresting individuals causing disturbances, managing the removal of sick passengers or deceased bodies, and inspecting carriages for lost property or tampering.
Moreover, the GRP reports crimes under the Railways Act and investigates railway accidents.
They assist railway officers and the public as needed, provided it doesn't interfere with their primary duties.
Recent amendments to the RPF and Railways Act have significant implications for the GRP.
Nationwide, 36,600 GRP officers can now focus more on serious crimes like rape and other offenses against women.
While GRP will continue railway policing, these changes allow them to concentrate more on investigating heinous crimes.
Additionally, the GRP will be better utilized for track patrolling and investigating sabotage cases as defined under sections 150, 151, and 152 of the Railways Act.
With the surge in railway traffic and its other activity in Himachal Pradesh, there is a pressing need for more GRP personnel to ensure effective policing and safety for all rail passengers.
