With festival time coming up, security agencies are on high alert due to potential threats of sabotage by terrorist elements. Amidst heightened security concerns, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) has provided crucial guidelines to the Pune railway administration to strengthen the security of railway tracks in the city.
The IB’s directives come following reports of recent sabotage attempts on railway tracks in other parts of the country. To prevent similar incidents in Pune, the railway authorities have decided to install approximately 20 CCTV cameras along the tracks at key locations.
These cameras will provide real-time surveillance of critical points along the railway line, ensuring any suspicious activity is detected early. Additionally, cameras will be installed in train engines, enabling continuous monitoring during journeys.
A meeting between the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and IB officials resulted in these security measures. Based on intelligence inputs, certain high-risk areas have been identified where the cameras will be installed to avert potential acts of sabotage. The railway administration has also announced that patrols in sensitive areas will be intensified to further enhance security.
Recent sabotage attempts have raised alarms across the railway network. In Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, authorities found gas cylinders, petrol-filled bottles, and inflammable materials on the railway track, signalling an attempt to derail the Kalindi Express. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has launched an investigation into the incident.
Similarly, in Solapur district, unidentified individuals placed a 230-kilogram sleeper on the railway tracks near Kurduwadi station, posing a serious threat to passing trains. Fortunately, a vigilant railway gangman spotted and removed the obstacle in time, preventing a potential disaster. Given these recent incidents, the IB has heightened concerns about possible sabotage in Pune and issued safety recommendations accordingly.
