Several measures are being taken to provide security for the ladies travelling in suburban trains during late night. Suburban trains are being escorted by Railway Protection Force (RPF)/Government Railway Police (GRP) during late night keeping extra vigil on ladies compartments. Regular drives are conducted by GRP/RPF and Railway Commercial staff against male passengers travelling in ladies compartments and the offenders are prosecuted under the provisions of the Railways Act.
It is not a fact that there has been number of cases of security lapses during the period. ‘Policing on Railways’ is a state subject and prevention of crime, registration of cases and 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 concerned which they discharge through the GRP and Civil Police. Railways bear 50 per cent cost of expenditure on the GRP.
However, Railways is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments by deploying Railway Protection Force to escort important trains in addition to trains escorted by GRP.
Following steps are being taken for security of lady commuters in suburban trains:-
- Regular coordination meetings are held with GRP and Civil Police at all levels to review security of passengers.
- 10 per cent reservation for women has been made in the recruitment of all ranks of RPF to ensure better service to lady passengers.
- Special trains exclusively for lady commuters have been introduced in metro cities.
- 12 Companies of Women RPF personnel are proposed for improving security of women passengers.
- One Mahila Battalion is proposed to provide better security to women passengers.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri K.H. Muniyappa in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.