In a letter sent to the divisional railways across the country, the Railway Board has reportedly asked all sections to allow the National Security Guard (NSG) to conduct hostage search-and-rescue drills in rail yards once a month. Sources said the letter states that the NSG must also be provided with an engine and three coaches when the drills take place.
A senior railway official said the NSG had been given permission to use the yard to prepare for the possibility of a strike or a hostage crisis on a train."We have asked all divisions to allow the NSG to practise. The Western Railway has told the NSG that they can use a yard in Jogeshwari to conduct the drills. Other zones are expected to follow suit soon," said a railway official here.