AK Sharma, railway commissioner of Mumbai, said, “It is a good thing, but at this moment it would be difficult to implement. A similar move in Delhi by its Lt Governor faced severe criticism. However, for the railways, it is a positive step for security. The photo identity passes can help in investigations.”

According to Shashank Shinde, senior police inspector at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the GRP officials are trying to mobilize this idea by having a discussion with the railway committee. He said, “Even if a terrorist writes the wrong address on the photo ID, the officials will at least have his photo. As the railway counters will save the data of every person while issuing this ID, it would be easy for the police to track the accused.”

Not just that, according to Shinde, by issuing such passes the problem of unclaimed bodies will also be solved to a great extent.

But the railways seems to be against the whole idea. Divisional Railway Manager of Central Railway JN Lal said, “So far, we have not received any concrete proposal from the GRP in this matter. Moreover, we cannot issue any more photo IDs. Commuters who go to office carry their office ID cards and so does students carry theirs. I don’t see any problem of identification.”

President for Kurla Railway Pravasi Sangh Subhash Gupta said, “People who are rare travellers on locals are the ones who stand in queues for tickets. All regular commuters have their railway passes. How can you force a commuter to have a photo identity passes? We will fight for the commuters if they are harassed by the police for the sake of security.”