VISAKHAPATNAM: The railways on Saturday introduced a biometric token system (BTS) and a surveillance system with drones at Visakhapatnam railway station. The systems are aimed at regulating passenger flow and boosting security at the station. The Visakhapatnam railway station is the first in the state to get such systems.
Speaking at the launch of the biometric token machine and the drone system, divisional railway manager (DRM) Chetan Kumar Shrivastava said that the systems will be able to prevent chaos at the station, particularly during festival seasons when passenger flow is high.
Senior divisional security commissioner of RPF, Jitendra Shrivastava, said that the new system (BTS) will regulate crowds in general compartments.
Passengers will have to scan their fingerprints to generate tokens while boarding unreserved tickets. The system will ensure seat allotment on a first-come-first-serve basis. Passengers will be able to get the token in advance and board the general compartment in peace as per the allotted number on the token, said Jitendra Shrivastava. He added that RPF staff will verify the token serial numbers and allow passengers to board coaches in an orderly manner.
On the other hand, the drone surveillance system will help patrol the yard, vital installations, railway tracks and accident sites. The drones will help save on manpower and assist in controlling crime. As many as 10 Railway Police Force (RPF) personnel have undergone drone pilot training in Visakhapatnam.
