RAWALPINDI, Feb 27: Despite multiple blasts that damaged railway tracks in Sindh two days ago, the walkthrough gates and metal detectors at the city train terminal, lying out of order for the last many weeks, have not been repaired.

Although the railway police chief has claimed that the security had been enhanced, the absence of proper security check at the city railway station speaks volumes about the veracity of his claim.

Sources said it had been planned to install Close Circuit TV Cameras (CCTVs) in and around the railway station in 2008 but the project did not materialise and existed only on paper.

They said the railway policemen did not carry out the mandatory patrolling of the railway tracks for want of fuel, adding that for the last six months, telephone lines of railway police had been out of order due to non-payment of bills.

According to some passengers, police are seen standing in a relaxed manner at railway stations of Rawalpindi, Chaklala and Margalla while people pass by without being unchecked.

“It will create problem for the passengers,” said Mohammad Akram, a passenger for Lahore.

Safdar Hussain, another passenger, said the government should search the luggage of all passengers for the sake of their safety.

Railway officials, on condition of anonymity, said the number of passengers had reduced in the last six months and the authorities concerned were not paying attention to enhance the security of railway installations and passengers.

When contacted, Superintendent of Railway Police Ulfat Ali confirmed that the walkthrough gates and metal detectors had been out of order for many weeks. He said they had informed the higher authorities and sought new walkthrough gates and metal detectors.

He said shortage of funds was the main reason behind security issues. He said Railway Police in Rawalpindi Division were understaffed and running short of fuel.

He said under these circumstances Railway Police had managed to provide protection to passengers, adding that they had enhanced security in and around railway stations in the division.