Close on the heels of explosions in Samjhauta Express, which claimed 68 lives, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad on Monday announced that several steps have been taken to strengthen security of trains, including installation of closed-circuit televisions and smart video cameras, at sensitive stations.

In view of the February 18 bomb blasts in Delhi-Atari Link Express and serial explosion in Mumbai suburban services last July, the Railways have taken several steps to strengthen and modernise the security arrangements, he said presenting the Rail Budget for 2007-08.

Besides increasing the number of trained dogs in the existing dog squads in many sensitive divisions of the country, explosive detection devices, door-frames and hand held metal detectors are being installed to provide better security for trains and passengers.

In addition, lalu announced that equipments like CCTVs and smart video cameras have been installed at sensitive stations. In consultation with security experts, an integrated extensive security and surveillance system would be developed for Mumbai suburban services equipped with high quality equipment.

Intensive training is being imparted to Railway Protection Force, in order to increase their professional expertise and efficiency, the railway minister said.

Special security for Samjhauta and Thar Express: Urging closer coordination among the Intelligence officials to prevent attacks on trains, the railway minister said the government had decided to beef up security in Pakistan-bound Samjhauta and Thar Express.

Besides ensuring one ticket travelling examiner in each compartment of the friendship trains, at least two railway protection force personnel would be deployed in each of the bogies of these two trains.

Yadav, during his hour-long post-Budget press conference, made it clear that Railways did not have a 'magic wand' to get wind of any plot to attack trains and would have to depend on the Intelligence inputs.

Railway Budget 2007-08: Complete Coverage