Railway Minister Lalu plans to ban entry of visitors on railway platforms in view of Mumbai blast.

Soon people visiting railway platforms to see off and receive passenger will be a thing of the past if railway ministry's plan to ban visitors from platforms, like in airports, comes into effect.

People will not be allowed to visit railway platforms by taking a platform ticket of Rs 3 in case railway ministry formally announced to ban entry of visitors on platforms.

It was disclosed by none other than Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav [Images] in Patna during a railway function.

"We are thinking of banning visitors from coming inside trains and even to the platforms to see off their near and dear ones," Lalu said.

Before this, Lalu declared installation of close circuit television, metal detectors and deployed sniffer dogs at important railway stations across India following Mumbai bomb blasts.

Lalu told a gathering at the Rajendra Nagar Terminal in Patna on Thursday night that those who want to see off their relatives or friends will have to do so from outside the platform. "They have to go back from platforms" he said.

Lalu reminded that railway was the soft target of terrorists.

He said that some people, particularly anti-social and criminal elements might be taking advantage of platform tickets to place dangerous objects to target railway. "It is a matter of serious concern for us." he said.

Lalu said that if ban on entry at platforms will be made, it will be taken for security of trains. "The passengers safety and security is our topmost concern, we cannot compromise or take any chance," Lalu said.

He announced that the Railway Protection Force would be strengthened and given more power to act against troublemakers.

"We are planning to monitor the safety measures through Railway Control Room for which the RPF will be equipped with modern technology," he said.