DMRC will procure new machines for tight security

New Delhi: Taking a serious note of the security and to decongest the long queues at the baggage checking point in Metro stations, the Delhi Metro is in the process of procuring more than 200 new X-BIS machines. The CISF, responsible for the security of the Delhi Metro, has communicated with the DMRC and asked them to provide more machines to improve its frequency to check the baggage of commuters.

A DMRC official, on the condition of anonymity, said that around 117 new Metro stations will be functional under the Phase–III project soon. Many of these machines will be deployed there and the remaining will be provided to those metro stations, where footfall of the commuters is high.

At present, there are over 280 machines being utilised in the Delhi Metro network across the national capital and NCR. Sources said that many of the existing machines are more than 15 years old and are overburden, following which they heat up and often become dysfunctional. Poor maintenance is another factor which contributes to the crisis.

When this newspaper contacted the DMRC officials, they refused to divulge any details in this connection. However, they said that the “machines are capable enough to serve the purpose and the DMRC is working with agencies to upgrade the metro security system”.