In order to avoid any possible terror threat, Pakistan Railways (PR) has taken a set of security enhancement initiatives at the Karachi Cantt Station, it was learnt here on Wednesday.
"We are going to say good-bye to the decades-long manual checking system as we have installed a couple of luggage scanners at the main entrance of station to have a speedy check on travellers and their luggage," Divisional Commercial Officer (DCO), Nasir Nazir told Business Recorder at his office.
PR has also introduced the Jinnah Airport model e-ticketing system for vehicle parking and several booths decorated with stone work have been constructed by a third party contractor, DCO said adding the contractor has spent some Rs 15 million on it.
The existing parking area has also been widened while some 100 high-resolution CCTV cameras have been installed around the parking area to ensure fool proof security.
Besides, there are around 70 cameras already functional around the building and the platform areas, he told.
We are trying to use all the 4 gates for entry and exit of vehicles as electronic barriers and barcodes have been introduced to have a proper security check on the vehicle movement." Nisar said.
"We have got it done by the contractor and he has spent the whole money by his own pocket. PR has spent not a single penny on it," DCO added. PR would receive some Rs 21 million besides 10 percent withholding tax annually. The contractor is bound to pay 30 percent of the amount in advance while he will pay the remaining in 10 instalments, he told.
"The final agreement in this regard is yet to be signed, however; the allotment letter has been issued to the contractor, and e-ticking system has already been introduced for parking," DCO added.
Nasir hopped the state of the art scanners would be functional within a couple of weeks as the final inspection is awaited. The aim of these technology-based security equipments is to ensure effective checking mechanism and to enhance the sense of security among the travellers. The Railway police and bomb disposal squad (BDS) will operate these scanners round the clock in three shifts. DIG railways would inaugurate the scanners, he added.
According to a rough estimate, the Cantt station handles dozens of trains every day. Some 15,000 passengers pass through or originate from the station with 300 tones of luggage. At present, the Railways' passenger luggage is being checked by hand. It is incapable to ensure proper checking and scanning of all goods.
"Railways management has awarded a build operate and transmit (BOT) contract for us to construct some 11 washrooms and an ablution place besides digging out 70 to 80 feet underground water here. The project costs Rs 800,000 which we have to spend by own pocket," a contractor told this scribe during a brief visit to the Cantt Station.
As per the contract, he will have to pay Rs 300,000 to Railways annually for 5 years. A traveller can use washrooms against Rs 10, he said.
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