RPF’s zonal training centre for dogs at Podanur to get a face-lift

The zonal training centre for dogs at Podanur near Coimbatore, which is an important canine training establishment of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Southern Railway, will get a face-lift with various upgradations.

K. Arul Jothi, Inspector General of Police-cum-Principal Chief Security Commissioner, Southern Railway; along with Panna Lal, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem Division, laid the foundation stone for the upgradation of the centre on Vellore Road near Podanur on Thursday.

Mr. Jothi told journalists the dogs trained at the centre are being deployed to detect narcotics and other contraband items on trains and railway station premises.

The centre located at 20-Block Railway Colony at Podanur near the S&T Workshop commenced operation on November 10, 2005. The centre has been imparting specialised training to RPF canine teams in tracker, explosive detection and narcotic detection trades. The centre has trained 321 dogs from various Zonal Railways, comprising 92 tracker dogs, 222 explosive detection dogs and seven narcotic detection dogs since its establishment. Narcotic trade training was introduced at the centre in 2026.

According to the RPF, five dogs from various Zonal Railways are undergoing specialised training in tracker and explosive detection trades, while 12 trainees are undergoing training as handlers at the centre at present.

The current kennel facility constructed in 2005 has 10 dog cells. The centre is now being expanded in view of the growing requirement for trained canine teams across Indian Railways, said RPF in a statement.

The proposed upgradation includes 20 additional dog cells, an administrative block, swimming pool, kitchen, store rooms, indoor classrooms with toilet facilities and trainees’ barracks with a meeting hall. The expanded infrastructure is expected to provide an integrated and modern training environment for canine teams, handlers and trainees, it said.

According to RPF, specially trained canine squads play an important role in railway security and are deployed for detection and preventive security duties at railway stations, trains, railway premises and other important locations. The centre conducts structured indoor and outdoor training with emphasis on discipline, obedience, search capability and specialised detection skills. Regular veterinary examinations are also carried out to ensure the health and fitness of the dogs.

Rakesh Pandey, Divisional Security Commissioner, Salem; Hridayesh Kumar, Senior Divisional Engineer (co-ordination), Salem Division; and RPF officers were present.