Safety of Women Passengers in Railways

Safety of Women Passengers in Railways

Policing on Railways being a State subject, prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law and order in Railway premises as well as on running trains are the statutory responsibility of the State Governments, which they discharge through Government Railway Police (GRP). However, Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of the GRP to provide security to passengers including women.

The following measures are being taken by Railways for safety and security of passengers including women passengers in trains:

1. On vulnerable and identified routes/ sections, 2300 trains (on an average) are escorted by Railway Protection Force daily, in addition to 2200 trains escorted by Government Railway Police of different States daily.

2. The ladies special trains running in Metropolitan cities are being escorted by lady RPF constables.

3. The ladies compartments in sub-urban trains running in metropolitan cities are being escorted by RPF and GRP. Staff deployment is made during late night and early morning in such trains to ensure proper security to the lady passengers. 4. RPF holds regular coordination meetings with State Police at all levels to ensure proper registration and investigation of crime by GRP.

At present, Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras have been provided at about 311 railway stations over Indian Railways. In addition, CCTV cameras have also been installed on trial basis, in a few coaches of some of the trains.

Security has been identified as one of the priority areas for strengthening and upgradation. Measures initiated to strengthen security of women commuters include operationalization of 182 All India Security Helpline, development of security App over some of the zonal Railways, prosecution of offenders under relevant sections of Indian Railways, surveillance in station premises through CCTV etc.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on 11.03.2016 (Friday).