Eight more sniffer dogs for Delhi Metro security soon

New Delhi: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is going to induct eight sniffer dogs for the Metro network security. It will help its personnel in protecting the Metro network. At present the strength of CISF dog squad is around 50, said the official.

“We got eight dogs last year and they completed their training. It was a phase-wise addition,” said a senior CISF official on Saturday, adding, “The eight dogs will be duly trained at a training centre in Madhya Pradesh.”

The eight-dog squad has been pressed into service for regular patrolling at the Metro network. All of them are sniffer dogs, few of them are Labradors and others are German Shepherds. There are no tracker dogs among them.

“These dogs are highly trained to work in a crowded place. They have been effective in detecting explosives and other chemicals, especially in the underground stations and tunnels. They are also trained to sniff narcotics,” the official said, adding, “The CISF has procured the best pedigree Labrador and Cocker Spaniel pups. Training will be imparted for eight months before they are deployed for active duties.”

There are five dog kennels of CISF and among them Yamuna Bank and Inder Lok are functioning and Dwarka Sector 8, Shashtri Park, Rajori Garden will start to function soon, said the official.

The dogs will be given an intensive recce of the Metro stations so that they are fully trained. A security audit of the entire Metro network by the Central agencies had underlined the urgent need to deploy more sniffer dogs, keeping in mind the increasing load of passengers and growth in the number of stations.