RAIL USERS INFORMATION

INDIAN RAILWAYS TAKES SAFETY MEASURES FOR WOMEN PASSENGERS

New procedures have been implemented by Indian Railways to guarantee the safety and security of female passengers, particularly during long-distance travel. In a press statement, Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the Indian Railways has taken several initiatives to provide improved facilities to women passengers on trains, including berth reservation and CCTV monitoring.

Women passengers have been given a reservation quota of six berths in sleeper class on long-distance mail and express trains, as well as a reservation quota of six berths in 3AC class on Garib Rath, Rajdhani, Duronto, and completely air-conditioned express trains. This is true regardless of their age or whether they are travelling alone or with other ladies. For senior citizens, women of 45 years and older and pregnant women, a combined reservation quota of six to seven lower berths per coach in sleeper class, four to five in the air-conditioned 3-tier (3AC) and three to four in the air-conditioned 2-tier (2AC) classes have been reserved (based on the number of coaches in each class on the train).

In addition to that, the Indian Railways, in association with the GRP (Government Railway Police Force), have taken a number of further efforts to ensure the safety and security of passengers, especially women, on trains and at stations. He further stated that trains are escorted by RPF and GRPF from several states on vulnerable and recognised routes/sections on a daily basis. The Railway Help Line number 139 is available 24 hours a day, all 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 ministry will respond.

Ladies Special trains are being escorted by lady RPF troops, according to the ministry. Train escorting parties have been instructed to keep a close eye on female passengers travelling alone, as well as ladies coaches in route and at halting stations. To guarantee the safety of female passengers, drives are conducted to prevent male travellers from entering compartments designated for women. In addition, CCTV cameras have been installed in 4,934 coaches and 838 railway stations to improve passenger security.

In what can be considered as a piece of great and good news for the women passengers, the Indian Railways has reportedly taken several steps including providing reservation quota and security to the women travelers. This was informed by Union minister of railways Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Vaishnaw said that this step has been taken keeping in mind the convenience and safety of women in long-distance trains. The facilities imply to every female irrespective of their age and whether they are travelling alone or in a group of women passengers, he added.

Giving information, the Union Minister said that 6 berths will be reserved in Sleeper class in long-distance mail and express trains. Let us tell you that many express trains including Rajdhani, Garib Rath, Duronto are included in this list. In the third AC coach of these trains, berths have been reserved for women.

If we talk about sleeper class, then about 7 lower berths have been reserved in it. Apart from this, 4 to 5 lower berths in third AC and 3 to 4 lower berths in air-conditioned 2 tier (2 AC) have been reserved for senior citizens and women.

 Apart from this, the Railways has taken many special steps keeping in mind the safety of women. Railways had also started ‘Meri Saheli’, under which women passengers would get security throughout their journey by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP).