The Indian Railways on Wednesday got a massive mandate to ensure the ‘smooth and hassle-free movement’ of over 3.4 lakh security personnel, who will be deployed in the upcoming general and state assembly elections.
The Election Commission (EC) directed the railway board to ensure seamless train movement with specific instructions to avoid the recurrence of delays noticed in the past, PTI reported.
‘A large-scale deployment of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and police forces drawn from various states for election purposes was essential as they will undertake and ensure area domination, confidence building measures, poll day duties and guarding of EVM/centres, etc,” the Election Commission in a communication issued to the railway board.
24*7 control room to oversee travel movement
To supervise the mega cross-country movement of the troops over the next few months, the poll panel has sought to set up a 24×7 control room. Further, it will ensure adequate arrangements of basic amenities including air conditioning in coaches, meals, medical facilities at stations on the route, availability of special and splinter bogies during this exercise period.
Notably, more than 3,400 companies of the CAPFs and state police forces have been requisitioned by the EC to ensure free and fair polls in the 2024 general elections and assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim.
“Deployment of CAPFs to various states/UTs involves rail movement and the ministry of railways has therefore a significant role to play in induction and de-induction of these forces,” the EC communication accessed by PTI mentioned.
Further, the EC communication expressed particular concern over the ‘delay’ in the movement of troops and the ‘inconvenience’ faced by its security personnel, which was raised by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), during rail travel for election duty in 2022 and 2023.
Nodal officers for smooth coordination
The Ministry of Railways has been directed to appoint nodal officers at its headquarters and zonal offices for the ‘smooth coordination’ of this movement, ensuring the availability of rolling stock (bogies), comfortable seating, and resting arrangements for security personnel.
Besides, the poll panel has asked the railways ministry to ensure the deployment of cleaning staff for maintaining hygiene apart from directing the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to appoint nodal officers to provide meals to the personnel.
