Passengers enter the railway station in Ranchi without going through a metal detector. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, June 7: Two years have passed since the ministry of railways allotted Rs 10 crore for an integrated security system at Ranchi station, but the system is still in cold storage, exposing major lacunae in the state capital’s gateway.

According to plan, integrated security meant a foolproof synergy between manpower, machinery and space. It was supposed to boast quick response teams, a control room, and gadgets such as close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, luggage scanners, doorframe metal detectors and night vision devices.

CCTVs were to be installed at platforms and parking lots, to be connected to the control room for monitoring. The doorframe metal detectors were to be set up at the station’s entry and exit points. The quick response team was to comprise cops belonging to Railway Protection Force (RPF) on high alert to attend to security needs of the station, including passengers. The boundary wall of the station was to be raised, topped off with barbed wire fencing.

But the only concrete step taken was the purchase of three doorframe metal detectors 18 months ago under the first phase. But, as is the norm in the state, they went defunct a month ago and have since been withdrawn from the entrance of Ranchi station.

In the past 10 years, after Jharkhand was carved out of erstwhile Bihar and Ranchi became the capital city, the number of passenger trains passing through the station has increased from about 15 to 35. The station now gets more than 25,000 passengers a day compared to about 10,000 then.

“Ranchi station being surrounded by Left-wing extremists, we cannot rule out threats from this quarter. International terrorism also is eyeing small cities. The integrated security system will help us combat these threats,” said S.K. Dubey, senior security commandant of Ranchi railway division.

But at present, the woefully inadequate security at the station comprises 12 security personnel and a two-member canine squad.

Apart from Ranchi station, similar security systems were to be installed at Tatanagar, Muri, Bokaro, Chakradharpur and Dhanbad stations of Jharkhand, but apparently South Eastern Railway (SER) headquarters at Garden Reach failed to make headway.

The process of tenders to pick agencies who would then install security gadgets is to be initiated by SER headquarters. “It’s taking time at the headquarters level,” said Sunil Kumar, additional divisional railway manager, Ranchi railway division. SER chief public relations officer Soumitra Majumdar agreed, stating a tender was issued to invite companies interested in installing security systems at the stations in mid-2010, but firms that showed interest were found unsuitable.

“We have recently issued a fresh tender,” said Majumdar.