States » NorthPosted at: Nov 4 2026 12:30PM


Railway Board tightens RPF security after suspected spy-camera incidents, orders year-long beat assignments

New Delhi, Nov 4 (UNI) The Railway Board has ordered a major restructuring of the Railway Protection Force's (RPF) security deployment system following reports of suspected electronic espionage at sensitive railway locations, introducing year-long continuity in beat assignments, risk-based surveillance and mandatory annual inspections by senior security officers.
The directive aims to plug security gaps arising from frequent changes in duty locations, inadequate knowledge of vulnerable railway installations and difficulties in identifying suspicious activities across the railway network.
Directive issued by RPF Director General Sonali Mishra, specifically refers to reported incidents of electronic espionage involving unauthorised solar-powered, SIM-enabled CCTV cameras installed on overhead equipment (OHE) masts in the Amritsar-Manawala railway section, Sonipat and Delhi Cantonment.
The Railway Board warned that threats to railway security had evolved beyond conventional crime, terrorism and sabotage to include reconnaissance, unauthorised surveillance, propaganda, digital mobilisation and interference with railway assets.
"Individually, such incidents may appear limited; collectively, they can reveal emerging vulnerabilities, changing modus operandi and indicators of more serious hostile activity," the directive said.
The instructions, circulated to all zonal railways on October 30, came into effect immediately.
Under the revised arrangements, the jurisdiction of every RPF post will be divided into clearly defined beats and sub-beats covering stations, platforms, tracks, yards, bridges, tunnels, workshops, production units and other vital installations.
Each sub-beat will be classified as Normal, Sensitive or Hyper-Sensitive following an assessment of its vulnerability, crime patterns, proximity to important installations, law-and-order conditions and location near international, inter-state or inter-divisional boundaries.
The frequency of patrolling, duration of deployment and intensity of surveillance will be determined according to the security classification and assessed vulnerability of each sub-beat.
These classifications will be reviewed periodically and revised whenever changes in the security situation or emerging threats warrant additional measures.
In a significant move aimed at ensuring continuity and accountability, the Railway Board has stipulated that allocations to beats and sub-beats should not be changed for at least one year without approval from the Senior Divisional Security Commissioner or Divisional Security Commissioner.
The provision relates specifically to beat and sub-beat assignments and does not constitute a blanket restriction on transfers or routine shift-based deployment.
The Board acknowledged that the existing practice of frequently rotating constables and head constables between duty locations had resulted in inadequate familiarity with assigned areas, poor continuity and information gaps.
Consequently, security personnel often faced difficulties identifying unusual activities and potential threats within their areas of responsibility.
Under the revised system, Sub-Inspectors and Assistant Sub-Inspectors will function as Beat Officers, while designated head constables and constables will serve as Sub-beat In-charges.
A buddy system will also be introduced, with nominated backup personnel taking over responsibilities when designated officers or constables are unavailable because of leave, training or other reasons.
For sub-beats, backup personnel will be selected from adjoining areas to ensure continuity of security monitoring.
The Railway Board has made it mandatory for designated Sub-beat In-charges to maintain updated Sub-beat Books containing detailed information about infrastructure, personnel and potential security vulnerabilities.
At railway stations, the records will include the number of installed CCTV cameras, their functional or non-functional status, illumination levels, the number and location of stalls and details of contractual workers.
In railway block sections, personnel will document sensitive installations, railway signals, relay interlocking cabins, breaches in boundary walls, vulnerable locations and places where railway materials are stored or left scattered.
The records will also contain contact details of railway employees, including gangmen, keymen and gatemen, to facilitate coordination during security-related incidents.
The directive makes it clear that although other RPF personnel may be deployed at these locations during regular shifts, responsibility for maintaining security records and possessing comprehensive knowledge of the assigned area will remain with the designated Sub-beat In-charge.
The Railway Board has introduced a supervisory mechanism requiring Senior Divisional Security Commissioners and Divisional Security Commissioners to visit all sub-beats and associated units at least once a year.
During these inspections, senior officers will interact with designated personnel, examine Sub-beat Books and initiate appropriate action on irregularities.
Assistant Security Commissioners will supervise beat operations within their sub-divisional jurisdictions, while Chief Security Commissioners and Principal Chief Security Commissioners will exercise broader oversight through inspections and reviews.
Post Commanders will be responsible for ensuring complete coverage of their jurisdictions without security gaps or overlapping responsibilities.
The directive emphasised that railway security requires continuous surveillance, local intelligence gathering and the early identification of suspicious objects or activities.
"Regular, accountable checking of clearly identified beats enables the nominated RPF personnel to spot vulnerabilities, detect suspicious objects, gather local intelligence, prevent sabotage, and maintain a visible security presence," it said.
Referring to the statutory responsibilities of RPF personnel under the Railway Protection Force Act, 1957, the Board said protection of railway property, passenger areas and passengers required systematic beat working and proactive security vigilance.
The instructions have been circulated to RPF formations across all zonal railways, including the Railway Protection Special Force, Konkan Railway and Kolkata Metro, as well as production units and zonal training centres.
UNI KK ARN
Tags: #Railway Board tightens RPF security after suspected spy-camera incidents# orders year-long beat assignments
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