New GRP unit to help commuters

Chennai: After a series of complaints regarding the security and safety of passengers, especially women during the late hours in the stations between Chintadripet and Velachery, the Government Railway Police’s (GRP) new unit at the Tiruvanmiyur station will be guarding commuters on this route.

Currently, operations are out of a temporary office that will continue until the new office, which is under construction, will be completed in the next three months, senior railway police officials said. Passengers feel that the new police unit working at Tiruvanmiyur that will control all stations on the MRTS route will help reduce crime rates and pickpockets.

“Getting down at this station during the late hours of the day was always fearful as in most areas of the entrance, there are no lights and moreover the area is vast with very few people around. It is scary,” said S. Kaveri, a corporation employee who has been commuting on the route for the past six years. “With the new police unit already working, my friends and I feel more safe,”  she added. Currently the GRP unit at Tiruvanmiyur that consists of 15 police personnel will be on duty from 5 am to 11 pm between the 14 suburban stations on Chintadripet and Velachery route.

According to senior railway police officials, the move is already proving to be a success as they have been able to clear railway spaces of the Mass Rapid Transit System by 11 pm of people and conduct regular checks at different points of the stations so as to make sure that untoward incidents are avoided. “The move will help passengers move through the stations without fear. We will make sure that at least two police personnel will take care of one station during the peak hours,” said C.S Sekhar, inspector of police, GRP, Egmore.