The GRP office on Tatanagar premises on Wednesday. Picture by Animesh Sengupta

Government railway police (GRP) is working towards increasing its strength in Jamshedpur along with substantial upgrades in its weaponry on the lines of Railway Protection Force (RPF).

Mrityunjay Kishore, superintendent of railway police, Tatanagar, sent a proposal to the state director general of police on Wednesday, seeking to increase its strength from 450 to 900.

Besides, he also sought three new railway police buildings at Tatanagar, Ghatshila and Lohardaga.

“We have also requested the DGP to replace existing firearms, like our obsolete .303 rifles, with sophisticated assault rifles like AK-47 and 9mm pistols,” said Kishore.

He said they wanted to bring about a drastic change in the set-up of the railway police because its counterpart, the RPF, had already been modernised. “Changes in the weaponry, uniform and doubling of the existing strength are necessary to cope with the work pressures of the railway police. If our personnel are well equipped, they will perform more effectively and efficiently,” he explained.

Eight railway police stations and as many railway thana outposts come under SRP, Tatanagar. These cover various areas including Ranchi, Muri, Bokaro, Ghatshila-Chakulia and Chakradharpur.

The railway police strength is 40 per cent less than what has been sanctioned. As a result their efficiency is suffring, those associated with the force claimed.

Beside ensuring safety of passengers and protecting railway property at stations, the GRP is also responsible for disposing of criminal cases.

At times, the absence of adequate staff end up leaving its personnel miffed for having to undertake multiple tasks.