The security meeting, chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, brought together the heads of various paramilitary forces, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP), and Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar
The 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line (USBRL) will be closely guarded by CRPF personnel equipped with sophisticated automatic weapons and bullet-proof jackets, particularly along tunnel stretches covering around 100 km. CCTV cameras will also be installed to enhance security. This move follows recommendations made during a high-level security meeting held on March 9, underscoring the importance of safeguarding the rail line in light of recent security concerns, particularly the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people lost their lives.
The security meeting, chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, brought together the heads of various paramilitary forces, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP), and Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar. The discussions were centred on two main topics: improving security in the valley and addressing why intelligence agencies had failed to generate fresh inputs. Another critical topic was the security arrangements for the USBRL, with all the Directors General (DGs) asked to present their suggestions and plans.
Among the most challenging sections of the rail line is the 111-km Katra-Banihal stretch, which includes India’s longest transportation tunnel (12.77 km), the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River (359m), and the country’s first cable-stayed bridge. This section of the line, which features 97 km of tunnels, is expected to be a high-security zone.
One of the recommendations from the meeting was to install CCTV cameras throughout the tunnel areas. Given that, under current regulations, the security of all rail lines falls under the jurisdiction of state police, it has been decided that the CRPF will secure the tunnels, while other areas of the rail line will be protected by the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF).
In total, around 4,500 personnel will be deployed to ensure the security of the rail line. Alongside the personnel, CCTV cameras have been installed, with a monitoring room operating round the clock. “We have deployed around 4,500 personnel and installed CCTV cameras along with a monitoring room round the clock,” sources confirmed. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, senior RPF officers travelled to Jammu and Kashmir to review and strengthen the security arrangements further.
These enhanced security measures are a direct response to the growing concerns over the safety of critical infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, especially after the recent attack. The authorities are taking every possible step to ensure that the USBRL, which is vital for connectivity in the region, remains safe and secure.
