The 5th All India Conference of Government Railway Police (GRP) Chiefs, was held in coordination with the Ministry of Railways and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event brought together senior officials and security leaders to address pressing issues, including passenger safety, crime management, and the need for improved manpower and infrastructure for railway security.
The conference opened with a keynote address by Satish Kumar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Railway Board. He highlighted the importance of collaboration between state police forces (GRP) and the RPF in safeguarding millions of passengers nationwide. Kumar also acknowledged the RPF’s initiatives such as Operation Nanhe Farishte, Operation AAHT, and Meri Saheli, which focus on protecting vulnerable groups, including women and children, in the railway ecosystem.
Director General of RPF, Manoj Yadava, in his welcome address, emphasised the need for modernising security infrastructure to combat emerging challenges, including rising incidents of passenger-related crimes.
Key discussions centred on streamlining the registration of passenger complaints and addressing discrepancies between complaints logged on the Rail Madad portal and formal cases registered. The conference also examined the implementation of new criminal laws, with a focus on improving Zero FIR and e-FIR systems to enhance crime reporting, evidence management, and inter-state investigations.
Manpower and infrastructure requirements were another major topic of deliberation. Participants explored the development of uniform benchmarks to assess the needs of the GRP, taking into account the geographical diversity and operational complexities of India’s railway network. A committee was formed to establish these benchmarks within a set timeframe.
In his closing remarks, Yadava praised the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, stating, “This conference has reaffirmed our collective resolve to strengthen railway security. By addressing manpower challenges, modernising systems, and improving crime response mechanisms, we are taking decisive steps toward safer travel for millions of passengers. The partnership between state GRPs and Indian Railways remains pivotal in achieving this goal.”
The conference concluded with a focus on actionable outcomes, including the adoption of advanced technology, enhanced coordination between stakeholders, and a reinforced commitment to prioritising passenger safety across India’s extensive railway network.
