RPF to rope in ‘train groups’ to relay information during emergencies

MUMBAI: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has hit upon a novel idea to curb panic situations on suburban Western Railway trains. It has decided to take the help of train groups to relay information during emergencies and thus prevent rumour mongers from spreading panic among commuters.
As train groups are a feature on every local during morning and evening peak hours, the RPF has therefore started identifying commuters that are part of such groups and is collecting their contact details.The RPF wants these commuters to act as “force multipliers”.
“We are calling our campaign ‘Operation Milky Way Galaxy’. Just like each body in the galaxy has a defined path, we want these commuters to play a specific role. Having travelled in the same train for decades, they virtually know most faces. During emergencies, we want them to dispel rumours and curb instances of alarm in the compartment. We will provide them with facts which they can, in turn, relay to other travellers. They could also report suspicious elements to us immediately,” said a senior RPF official.
The force has gathered contact details of thousands of such commuters and is putting together a database. “Women commuters, too, have shown a lot of interest in the campaign and have parted with their personal numbers,” the official added.
Another key area the RPF is working on is to streamline crowd on platforms where long-distance WR trains halt. To prevent jostling and curb instances of theft, it has started segregating large families from solo travellers before they can board trains. “Families are now asked to queue up at one entrance of a compartment while solo travellers take the other. This is our attempt to reduce chaos and provide a better travel environment to commuters,” said an official.
TIMES VIEW
It's an innovative idea but, like all experiments, it comes with its share of misgivings. Frequent travellers, especially those who travel as part of large groups, know the “terrain“ and often go out of their way to help other commuters. But experience shows a section can also be pests, unmindful of other commuters' rights and concerns as they block doors, take up aisles and “reserve" seats to play cards or just chat.Such elements, when they get on this informal RPF roster, may become bigger than the law. The RPF needs to keep this in mind.