Safety and Security of Women Passengers in Railways
NEW DELHI : The Nirbaya case continues to haunt the nation even after a lapse of four years. The mother of the victim has come public with her statement that she was still awaiting justice. “It’s been four years and we still haven’t got justice even after so much of struggle,”
In the Rajya Sabha on Friday the Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply outlined safety and security measures put in place by the 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 by providing better protection and security of passenger area and passengers and for matters connected therewith. RPF escorts important trains in affected areas and also provide access control duties at important and sensitive stations.
Besides, 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, 2500 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 suburban 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. Security Help Line number 182 is made operational over Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
5. Regular drives are conducted to prevent entry of male passengers in compartments reserved for ladies, and if found, they are prosecuted under the provisions of Railways Act.
6. Surveillance is kept through CCTV cameras, provided at about 344 stations over Indian Railways, to ensure safety and security of passengers.
7. RPF holds regular coordination meetings with State Police at all levels to ensure proper registration and investigation of crime by GRP
8. Strengthening and upgradation of security infrastructure is an ongoing process.
A total of 344 railway stations have been provided with Close Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras over Indian Railways. With a view to further strengthening security of passengers including women, 983 A1, A, B & C category railway stations have been nominated for installation of CCTV cameras with allocation of budget under Nirbhaya Fund.
CCTV cameras have also been installed on a limited number of coaches of passenger and suburban trains on a pilot basis. Sanction for provision of CCTV cameras in 500 coaches has been obtained under the Rolling Stock Programme 2015-16. Work has already been completed in about 25 passenger coaches and 32 suburban coaches (including ladies compartments) that have been commissioned in service.
