Summary:
KOCHI: Railway officials say a proposal to implement airport-like security at railway stations is impractical in the district. They cite the lack of fencing around the stations and railway tracks as the major challenges in implementing the proposal mooted by the railway board in January.The lack of manpower, infrastructure and huge inflow of passengers during rush hour are the other prime obstacles for implementing airport-like security in railway stations. An official said it would be impractical to implement the proposal considering 60% of the passengers in trains were season-ticket holders who reach stations from their offices at the last minute.It is impractical to compare facilities at airports with railway stations, a railway official said. Reaching station 20 minutes in advance means, we have to spend additional half-an-hour,” said Manikandan of Edappally Railway Passengers’ Association. Ernakulam Junction and Town railway stations witness a footfall of 35,000 passengers per day, and this is the highest number in the Trivandrum division..