Indian Railways Implements Specific Measures to Ensure Safety & Security of Female Passengers

By: WE Staff | Monday, 20 December 2021

According to Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, Indian Railways has implemented specific measures to guarantee the safety and security of female passengers in long-distance trains.

According to the ministry, six berths in the sleeper class of long-distance Mail/Express trains will be reserved for female passengers of any age travelling alone or in a group, and a reservation quota of six berths in third-tier AC (3AC) coaches of Garib Rath/Rajdhani/Duronto/fully air-conditioned Express trains will be allocated for female passengers of any age travelling alone or in a group.

Six to seven lower berths per coach in sleeper class, four to five lower berths per coach in 3AC coaches, and three to four lower berths per coach in 2AC coaches (depending on the number of coaches of that class in the train) are reserved for senior citizens, pregnant women, and female travellers aged 45 and more.

In terms of passenger safety and security, the minister indicated that the Railway Protection Force (RPF) will augment the efforts of the GRP/District Police to provide improved passenger protection and security. Despite the fact that 'Police' and 'Public Order' are state matters under the Constitution of India's Seventh Schedule, the Railways are taking further efforts in conjunction with GRP to ensure the safety and security of passengers in trains and at stations.

On October 17, 2020, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) began a pan-India campaign called "Meri Saheli" with the goal of providing better safety and security to woman passengers travelling by train during their journey, from boarding to de-boarding. The initiative's main goal is to ensure the safety of female travellers, particularly those travelling alone. For the project, the RPF is also training teams of female officers and personnel.

Trains are escorted daily by RPF and GRPF (Government Railway Police Force) from several States on vulnerable and recognised routes/sections, according to the ministry. The Railway Help Line number 139 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across the entire Indian Railways network for security-related help to travellers in crisis.

He also stated that if a passenger's issues are expressed via social media sites such as Twitter or Facebook, the government will respond.

The Women Special trains are being escorted by lady RPF troops, according to the ministry. Train escorting companies have been instructed to keep a close eye on female passengers travelling alone, as well as women coaches in route and at halting stations.

To guarantee the safety of female passengers, drives are performed to prevent male travellers from entering compartments designated for women. CCTV cameras have also been deployed in 4,934 coaches and 838 railway stations to increase passenger security.

All freshly manufactured Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) and Air-conditioned rakes of the Kolkata Metro feature an emergency talkback system and closed-circuit video surveillance cameras, according to the railway minister.

The State Level Security Committee of Railways (SLSCR) has also been established to oversee and examine the railways' security procedures on a regular basis.