By Alok Singh
New Delhi, April 16 (IANS): Delhi Police might get the responsibility for the overall security of the capital's Metro network. The urban development ministry has recommended that the city police is better equipped to handle the security of the Delhi Metro than the paramilitary CISF, an official said.

In a recent recommendation to the home ministry, the urban development ministry has said it “is of the view that law and order is a state subject. Accordingly, assigning security duties to Delhi Police would be better - in view of better integration, coordination with local police, crowd management and overall law and order besides economies of scale”.

The recommendation, which has been seen by IANS, further stated: “This will also improve overall policing in the Metro network as law and order is basically the responsibility of Delhi Police.”

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is looking after the overall security of 129 Metro stations across the city. Delhi Police register any crime committed inside the Metro premises and also conducts the probe. Around 5,000 CISF personnel guard the Metro. But the Delhi Police personnel who are deployed to investigate crimes are few in number.

“The Quick Reaction Teams of Delhi Police which are presently for an area can be assigned the responsibility of specific Metro stations also falling within its jurisdiction,” said the recommendation.

“Furthermore, profiling can be done better by Delhi Police as compared to CISF,” it added.

According to sources, the CISF staff deployed at the Metro stations are being paid by the home ministry. However, the Metro falls under the urban development ministry.

When contacted, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) declined to comment on the issue.

According to former Delhi Police commissioner B.K. Gupta: “CISF doesn’t have the power of investigation. Their network from the local level to perceiving terror threats is also very week. So Delhi Police would be a better option.

“If overall security comes under the Delhi Police, it would be more effective,” Gupta told IANS.

According to a Delhi Police officer who did not wish to be named, victims of crimes taking place inside the Metro often face problems like delays in action as the Delhi Police is not directly connected with the security.

Delhi Metro has witnessed 806 criminal cases like theft and pick pocketing inside trains and Metro stations until April 10. The figure for the corresponding period last year was just 140.

“If a passenger finds a pick pocket inside a running train, the only option he has is to call the Metro staff or police control room by dialing on 100. When the Metro stops at a station, the victim contacts the Metro staff and then the personnel transfer the matter to the local police; the whole thing gets delayed,” the officer told IANS.