Metro gets luggage scanners

With this, MG Road, Trinity and Ulsoor stations will soon have two luggage scanners each. “The scanners arrived in Bangalore late on Monday, we will have them installed soon,” Metro sources said.

The remaining nine scanners will be equally distributed between the Baiyappanahalli depot, Swami Vivekananda Road and Indiranagar stations.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, BMRCL spokesperson B L Y Chavan said: “The machines are in the process of being installed and are likely to be commissioned soon, completing all the security arrangements at the Metro stations.”

According to Rule 3 of the Bangalore Metro Rail (Carriage and Ticket) Rules 2011: “No person shall, while travelling in Metro railway, carry with her/him any goods other than a small baggage containing personal belongings not exceeding 60 cm by 45 cm by 25 cm in size and 15 kg in weight, except with the prior approval of the Metro railway administration.”

The rules also restrict carrying explosive substances, gases, petroleum and other inflammable liquids, inflammable solids and poisonous substances.

The commissioning of the scanners will put an end to manual searches of baggages at the Metro stations, sources said, adding that there would be a more efficient and fool-proof security checking.

There has been criticism that the security guards are not trained to detect explosives or weapons and that they are not even experts in handling a situation if a prohibited item is carried inside the station. Sources in the BMRCL said the problem will now be solved with the scanners, which are on a par with those installed at the Bengaluru International Airport.