CISF‘adding teeth’ to its ring of security around Delhi Metro

The new recruits of CISF, the force that guards metro stations in Delhi, have a nose for nuisance.

The force will rely heavily on trained sniffer dogs as Delhi Metro is all set to add over 100 stations, 159 kilometres of network and millions of new passengers in the ongoing phase three of its expansion. The stations under Phase III are being thrown open in phases and the entire network is expected to be operational by mid-2017.

Last month, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) bought eight dogs – five Labradors and three German Shepherds – and has sent them for training at a facility in Indirapuram.

The canines will undergo six months of training in bomb detection. The force will add four more dogs in the next six-months and 12 more over the next year.

Currently, CISF has deployed 51 dogs to guard the Metro network.

The German Shepherds are considered good for detecting drugs while Labradors are experts in sniffing out explosives. Golden Retrievers are good sniffers and easier to train. Cocker Spaniels come in handy in searching under metro seats due to their size.

The CISF has added 19 dogs to its kitty in past one year. This is the maximum since the central force launched the squad in 2007 with two dogs.

Each dog works on a four-hour schedule, in which they cover at least five-to-six stations. Ten dogs are kept in reserve during the night for an emergency.

“We have German Shepherd, Labrador, Cocker Spaniel and Golden Retriever. They have good sniffing power and detection instinct,” an officer said.

CISF spokesperson Manjit Singh said they will soon purchase three high-tech bomb detection squad (BFS) vehicles that will have a space for dog carriers. The CISF has five BFS vehicles, of which two have space for a dog.