GRP to glow in orange neon jackets

Mumbai: To ensure that the Government Railway Police (GRP)  personnel stand out easily, bright neon jackets have been provided by Maharashtra GRP to the personnel who will be guarding the women’s compartments at night. The main motto is to easily find out the personnel, who can be contacted during emergency. This move was initiated after many female passengers complained about the absence of GRP personnel on duty during at night, and women’s compartment going unmanned during those hours.

A GRP official said that the bright orange jackets with radium belts were given about a week ago, and are being worn by the GRP personnel, along with the Railway Police, Home Guard. The jackets have ‘MAHA GRP’ written on its backside. During the night, GRP personnel are appointed for the safety of all passengers including women passengers. However, after a few complaints surfaced about their absence on duties, a strict checking at every railway station was put in place.

Niket Kaushik, Government Railway Police Commissioner said, “Jacket has been provided for quick police identification. The jacket was given to the personnel of GRP, Home Guards, Maharashtra -SCP, to get the police immediately detected in crowded places.”

Mr Kaushik added, “There may be some errors after coming up with something new. If there are any complaints about this, they will definitely be resolved.”

According to a senior railway official, the directorate of the railway police came up with this idea to ensure that it becomes easy to identify the police and stay safeguarded. So when a personnel comes on duty and registers himself, they can get the jacket from the railway police station and take possession of this jacket, and post their duty hours return these jackets to the respective railway police station.

Kavitha Lotlikar, a Virar resident, and a frequent late night traveller said, “It will be easier for the passengers to spot the police personnel in case of any emergencies.”