RPF digital assistance management system to be installed at two more stations in Tiruchi Division

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Tiruchi Division will soon expand its digital RPF Assistance Management System, aimed at providing security related assistance to passengers, to two more stations by installing touch-based kiosks.

The system was introduced at the Srirangam railway station for the first time recently to help passengers during emergencies.

The railway authorities have approved the proposal to implement the system at Chidambaram and Tirupadirippuliyur railway stations, said RPF sources. This follows demand for the system and amid reports of theft of passenger belongings.

The RPF of Tiruchi Railway Division had introduced the digital system to ensure swift communication between passengers and RPF personnel in rendering speedier assistance.

Chidambaram railway station has only an RPF outpost with not enough manpower available round-the-clock. Tirupadirippuliyur was chosen as it was in close proximity to Cuddalore station where an RPF post is functional headed by an inspector, said the authorities. Complaints about theft were received in the past at Tirupadirippuliyur station prompting the introduction of the digital system. 

The system is a touch-based, multilingual, and user-friendly. It allows the passenger to quickly select their issue from predefined categories, enter their mobile number, and instantly submit a request for assistance. The home screen would display common categories such as theft, harassment, suspicious activity, security threat, and other issues. Each category is supported with icons to easily identify the appropriate option.

Once the complaint by the passenger is raised through the digital assistance system, the message gets instantly flashed to the RPF Security Control Room functioning in Tiruchi. The information would immediately be conveyed to the field-level RPF officer concerned over mobile phone to attend to the complaint speedily. The nearest RPF personnel on duty would be sent instantly to the spot to address the issue and lend necessary support to the passenger concerned.

The digital system at Chidambaram and Tirupadirippuliyur stations is expected to become operational by this month-end, said a senior RPF officer. The system has been introduced to enhance responsiveness and improve the handling of passenger security concerns amid manpower constraints faced by the RPF. The officer said commercial staff at the stations had been sensitised regarding the digital system to guide the passengers requiring RPF assistance.