Ex-army personnel will be given preference in reservation of two berths on each side of the coach

NEW DELHI: Ex-army personnel will be given preference in reservation of two berths on each side of the coach as part of railways’ strategy to utilise their service in any emergency situation during the journey.

Railways expect that allocating two berths at each side of the coach is a strategical move to counter crime in trains.

“We are making certain modification in the software to reserve four seats – two in each side of the entry – in a coach for ex-army personnel,” said a senior Railway Ministry official.

The new system is expected to be operational next month. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu while addressing the conference on railway security also said there is a plan to utilise ex-armymen. He, however, did not elaborate the plan.

The Railways is currently plagued with increased crime particularly involving women passengers.

Decision to utilise the service of ex-armymen in emergency is one of the many initiatives being undertaken by by railways to prevent crime in rail premises, he said.

According to the strategy, the side berths at entry points will be automatically reserved, once the ex-army personnel books a ticket in his name.

The official said currently there are no dedicated seats for the ex-armymen but by earmarking the seats we are trying to instill confidence in the passengers.

Currently RPF personnel are deployed in 1300 trains and GRP is deputed in 2200 trains.

According to the plan, RPF will be manning about 5000 trains with recruitment and training process of 16,500 personnel nearing completion.