In a significant move to enhance passenger safety, the Railway Board has issued strict directives to all zones mandating comprehensive police verification of onboard staff. This decision comes in response to a disturbing incident where a railway attendant allegedly killed an army personnel.
Immediate Action Following Tragic Incident
The Railway Board's directive emerged after a serious security breach came to light. According to official sources, an onboard attendant was involved in an altercation that resulted in the death of an army man. This incident exposed critical gaps in the current staff verification process and prompted immediate intervention from the highest levels of railway administration.
The Board emphasized that while Indian Railways engages professional agencies to deliver onboard passenger services, additional safety measures are now imperative. The new verification protocol aims to prevent similar incidents by ensuring thorough background checks of all personnel interacting directly with passengers during journeys.
Enhanced Safety Protocols Implementation
All railway zones across the country have been instructed to implement the police verification requirement without delay. The Board clarified that consistent delivery of onboard passenger services must now include enhanced staff screening as a non-negotiable component of service agreements with professional agencies.
The verification process will involve comprehensive background checks conducted by local police authorities. This includes criminal record verification, address confirmation, and character authentication of all staff members before they are deployed on trains. The measures are designed to create multiple layers of security assurance for passengers.
Strengthening Existing Service Framework
Indian Railways has long relied on professional agencies to manage various onboard services. However, the recent incident demonstrated the need for more robust oversight mechanisms. The Board acknowledged that while these partnerships have generally been effective in service delivery, security aspects require immediate strengthening.
The new guidelines specify that agencies failing to comply with the verification mandate will face serious consequences, including termination of contracts. Railway authorities at zonal levels have been made directly accountable for ensuring 100% compliance with these safety enhancements.
The implementation timeline requires all zones to complete verification of existing staff within a specified period while making police clearance mandatory for all new hires. This systematic approach aims to create a safer travel environment while maintaining the quality of onboard services that passengers expect from Indian Railways.
