How Safe Is Mulund Railway Station?

The tension between India and Pakistan has created security issues. Though Mumbai Police is alert and has increased the security both on roads and railways, but the threat of a terror attack issue by our Intelligence Department has raised an alarm to be extra cautious.  Hence, each railway station in Mumbai is on ‘Red Alert’. However, Home Times in its survey has detected several lapses in the security of Mulund railway station. Hence, the big question is: How Safe is Mulund Railway Station? 

In its survey, Home Times observed that Mulund Railway Police is doing a good job and is leaving no stone unturned to keep a hawk’s- eye on any anti-social elements entering Mulund. The police are meticulously checking bags and baggage of each and every passenger. Strict action is being taken against beggars and druggies who roam at Mulund station. However, the Railways is maintaining strict vigil on the movements of every person at Mulund police station through the CCTV in the railway control room.

However, despite such tight security, Mulundkars still doubt the security at Mulund station. A Mulundkar, on condition of anonymity, said, “In March 2003, there was a bomb blast at Mulund station in the local train moving towards Mumbai. The explosion was so serious that 10 passengers lost their lives and more than 70 commuters were left injured. However, despite the heinous terror attack at Mulund station, yet there is negligence in security by Mulund Railway Police.”

Home Times hereunder exposes the security lapses at Mulund station :
Scanning machines missing 
According to the Railway security guidelines, each ‘junction’ station must mandatorily have scanning machines to scrutinize hidden objects in the baggage. But, it is tragic Mulund station which has witnessed a bomb blast by terror groups does not have any scanning machine.
Secondly, scanning machines have become imperative to Mulund because the number of passengers arriving at Mulund station have multiplied many times over the years. Hence, the lives of the passengers at Mulund station are at risk!! But, alas, the Railways has declined to provide scanning machines on the excuse that Mulund is not a ‘junction’ station!!  Thus, in short, security of passengers at Mulund station is definitely at stake!!!

Hawkers’ menace could cause a huge calamity
Though the Bombay High Court has passed an order for the hawkers to do business at a distance of 150 metres from the railway station but, tragically, in Mulund the hawkers are making a mockery of the Bombay High Court order! The hawkers can be seen doing business within the 150 metres barrier. Even the railway bridge is crowded with hawkers. Mulundkars thus fear that in the guise of a hawker any anti-social can create a huge calamity.

Short-cut pathways can pose a threat 
Many passengers could be seen entering Mulund station through short-cut pathways or through broken security walls along the railway tracks. Tragically, passengers entering into Mulund station through such paths are not captured by the CCTVs and this is a great cause of worry as terrorists can enter through such paths and create havoc! Mulundkars are thus alerting the Mulund railway security officials to be extra cautious at these dangerous pathways.

How safe is the parking zone outside Mulund railway station? 
The 2- wheeler parking zone outside Mulund railway station is also not safe. People park their vehicles haphazardly on both sides. Due to the large number of people using this parking zone many vehicles are parked very close to the station. What is unfortunate is that neither the contractor nor the security guards check the vehicles. Hence, a terrorist can easily take advantage of this lapse and plant a vehicle loaded with explosives which would be catastrophic!!!

“Security at Mulund station is satisfactory” -G.D. Baranwal, Station manager, Mulund Station.
When Home Times exposed these security threats at Mulund station, G.D. Baranwal, Mulund Station Manager, assured Home Times of tight security.

He said, “The security of Mulund station is brilliant. Maximum Railway Security Guards are keeping a hawk’s-eye at every nook and corner of Mulund station. After the Indo-Pak tension, additional security guards have been placed in crucial areas to intensify the security of the railway station.”   He added, “We are also examining the baggage of every passenger. We are also taking action against the illegal hawkers on the railway bridge. In addition, we are also keeping an eye on the 8 legal shoeshine men and stall owners. Thus, in short, security at Mulund station is satisfactory.”

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