Shortage of funds hampers Russia's rail security
Railroads in Russia are proving to be a far greater security challenge than airports; there are 18,000 train stations in Russia; the railroad operators have money to place passenger and luggage inspection facilities, radio jamming devices, and explosion-proof containers in 34 of these stations; train stations are not the only points where railroads are vulnerable to terrorist attack; a bomb can easily be planted anywhere along a train’s route; in 2010 alone, 542 instances of “objects placed on rails” were reported, as well as 101 cases of rail sabotage; some suggested fencing off the entire length of Russia’s railroad tracks — but since railroads in Russia stretch for over 82,000 kilometers, it was calculated that the funding needed for this comprehensive measure would be 13 trillion rubles; for comparison, the entire 2011 budget of the Russian Federation stands at 8.8 trillion rubles
Railroads in Russia are proving to be a far greater security challenge than airports. A recent Russian Railways meeting reviewed various proposals on security measures, ranging from setting up a special security service for railroad stations, installing metal detectors at all station entrances, clearing the areas in front of stations, and building fences along all railroad lines. Izvestia investigated what these projects might cost.
Currently, door frame metal detectors are installed at rail terminals in four Russian cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tver, and Vyborg. Not a great achievement, considering there are 18,000 stations, including short platforms, in Russia. Passenger and luggage inspection facilities, radio jamming devices, and explosion-proof containers will be provided to thirty-four railroad stations across the country soon.
It is a slow process. First, Russian manufacturers found themselves unprepared – they are not making enough detectors. Second, all these laws need to be harmonized.
Izvestia reports that occasionally, things reach the point of absurdity. Security rules dictate that metal detectors must be installed at all entrances and exits, but that would violate fire regulations. Another problem is that 1.7 square meter of area is needed per passenger to make the boarding area secure, which requires 1,000 square meters per train, said Sergei Abramov, director of railroad stations. Stations cannot be expanded that much. So the remaining solution is to increase security personnel. Russian Railways is willing to go even further and set up its own security service.
“We believe there is a great demand for such a service,” Vladimir Yakunin, Russian Railways chief, told Izvestia. He added that his company annually spends 11 billion rubles of its own money on security. Security personnel currently numbers 62,000.
Train stations are not the only points where railroads are vulnerable to terrorist attack. A bomb can easily be planted anywhere along a train’s route. In 2010 alone, according to law enforcement agencies, 542 instances of “objects placed on rails” were reported, as well as 101 cases of rail sabotage. To counter this, some regions suggested fencing off the entire length of Russia’s railroad tracks. Considering that railroads in Russia stretch for over 82,000 kilometers, this would make it a construction project of the century. The funding needed for this comprehensive measure would be 13 trillion rubles. For comparison, the entire 2011 budget of the Russian Federation stands at 8.8 trillion rubles.
Izvestia writes that other ways to protect the lines need to be considered. The State Duma has suggested toughening punishment for unsanctioned presence at transport infrastructure facilities. In the United States, for example, it is treated as a criminal offense. The downside is that guards would start detaining all jaywalkers.
Another hazard, railroad executives say, is crowded squares outside stations. They suggested clearing the area of all vendors and making the space a no-go area. Ilya Klebanov, presidential envoy to the Northwestern Federal District, said the issue was too petty to be worth considering.
