Bengaluru: The Railway police launched a WhatsApp helpline on Friday to get feeds from the public on security issues at railway stations and trains.

Home Minister K J George inaugurated the newly created control room and requested the public to send valuable information about railway safety on the WhatsApp number 9480802140.

Besides the WhatsApp helpline, the railway police have also set up a toll-free helpline 18004251363, voice analog system and CCTV monitoring room. The public may alert the railway police on any information about defective tracks, unattended objects or suspicious persons on the WhatsApp number or toll-free number.

The minister further said recruitment to railway police would take place soon. “More than 24 crore passengers use trains every year in Karnataka.

Though the number of passengers are increasing every year, the railway police recruitment has not taken place since 1977. With the inauguration of a control room and modern security facilities, 300 staff have also been appointed to monitor the railway stations,” George said.

A senior official said that the railway police had a jurisdiction of 3,089 kms across the State with 362 railway stations and 620 platforms. “Providing security at all these stations and platforms has been a challenge.

The control room was established with a view to enhance the security system at railway stations. Around 300 trained guards will be on security duty round the clock to monitor CCTV footages,” Railway SP Sidramappa said. State DGP and IGP Lalrokhuma Pachuau, Home Minister’s adviser Kempaiah and ADGP (Railways) R P Sharma were present.