PHOTO: FILE
The purpose of the scanners was to ensure that no passenger could enter the platform with ammunition, prohibited material or explosives. More than Rs5.1 million is needed for the maintenance of scanners. However, due to a lack of funds with the railway department, the maintenance of scanners could not be done.
As per details obtained by The Express Tribune, the Ministry of Railways purchased 8 scanners, at a cost of Rs40 million, for security at railway stations and on trains.
Two scanners were installed at Lahore Railway Station, two at Karachi, two at Rawalpindi and one at Faisalabad Railway Station.
Passengers get their luggage checked with scanners before entering the railway stations. Reportedly, this checking has yielded better security results and many prohibited items carried by passengers were detected with the help of scanners, including firearms.
However, the scanners could not be repaired and have been put aside at the railway stations.
These scanners can be saved from further deterioration if the authorities concerned can have the equipment repaired at the earliest. In this regard, Deputy Inspector General of Railway Police Azhar Rasheed said unavailability of funds has delayed the maintenance of the scanners, but now tenders will be issued soon so that they can be made functional.
He further said the scanners were installed to ensure that every passenger would get their luggage scanned before entering the railway platform and this checking had produced good results.
The DIG added that soon these scanners will start working completely.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 26th, 2020.
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