Title - Helplines to aid passengers - The Times of India

Mysore: Seeking assistance in case of harassment or illegal activities in trains operating from Mysore division is just a call away. For security assistance on trains, aggrieved passengers can call RPF control room on (0821)2420216, 2427222.

Mysore South Western Railways' senior divisional commercial manager Anup S Dayanand, after launching a safety-awareness drive across the division, said that intensive security measures have been taken across the division following Mandya incident, wherein a girl was thrown out of a moving train by some preying youths.

Recalling the incident, the officer said victims and co-passengers usually are clueless as to call whom in cases of emergency. "In order to give them a sense of security, the division has ensured security assistance. Accordingly, all coaches will have 10 sticker boards with two RPF control room numbers. Dialling those numbers is enough to seek assistance from the other end. "The control rooms will function round-the-clock. Assistance is provided in all trains operating from the Mysore division," he added. The division has a fleet of 35 trains and 500 coaches. Around 25,000 passengers commute every day, he added. Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Reserve Force (GRP) and state police will provide assistance to passengers in distress.

RPF control room has contacts of all stations connected by Mysore division-run trains -- be it Chennai or Nizamuddin in Delhi. During emergencies on these routes, RPF control room contacts the station concerned, which may be anywhere in India.

SECURITY ENHANCED !Security measures in Mysore railway station are now better than earlier times. Anup S Dayanand added that after noticing unauthorized entries to the station, the number of exit and entry ways has been reduced in all sides. Travellers are being encouraged to use the regular entry point opposite to CFTRI and those in the front. "Door metal detectors have been installed at all entrance points," he said, adding 18 CCTV cameras have been put up on three platforms. RPF personnel will monitor people's movements through CCTVs 24X7. "Anyone moving suspiciously will be apprehended," he added. Baggage-checking machines, like the ones used at airports, will be put up at railway station soon.

MYSORE-YESHWANTPUR TRAIN A new regular express train between Mysore-Yeshwanthpur will run during Dasara. Speaking to TOI on Friday, Mysore South Western Railways' senior divisional commercial manager Anup S Dayanand said that the 18-coach train will depart Mysore railway station at 9am to Bangalore and return by 3pm. The service will be temporarily provisioned for the Dasara season. "We are planning to make its services regular if there is a demand from passengers," he added.There are no express trains to Bangalore from Mysore after 6.45am. Passengers have demanded a new service, and the same would reduce passenger traffic, he added.