With demands for improved women safety echoing, the Eastern Railway has enhanced security measures for women passengers.
To prevent any untoward incident, the zonal railway’s security personnel have intensified the hunt for male passengers in ladies’ coaches. In addition, “Meri Saheli” teams have been deployed at 15 stations to assist women traveling alone in 88 trains along with Matangini Squad that have been deployed at 25 suburban stations. The Matangini Squad focuses on ensuring the security for women passengers, particularly in suburban areas, where daily commuting is high. A total of 339 trains, including 12 ladies’ EMU special trains, are regularly escorted by RPF personnel while o 74 express trains are jointly escorted by male and female RPF staff to ensure all-around security, according to the ER. The zonal railway authorities have also installed 3,894 CCTV cameras at 170 stations across the network, with 2,265 cameras actively monitored by RPF at 87 stations specifically for the safety and security of women passengers.
Apart from this, 127 body-worn cameras have been provided to RPF staff for use during train escorts and passenger interface operations, allowing real-time monitoring of security situations.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Eastern Railway has launched an extensive campaign under ‘Operation Mahila Suraksha’ to address the concerns of women passengers and provide a secure traveling environment. Last month, the RPF of Eastern Railway conducted regular combing operations in ladies’ coaches in various trains, apprehending and prosecuting male passengers unlawfully traveling in those compartments. According to the ER office, a total of 1,774 offenders were arrested and prosecuted under Section 162 of the Railways Act last month and a cumulative fine of rupees 3,24,450 was recovered.
The ER is also conducting women passenger awareness campaigns regularly at stations, in trains, and at educational institutions like schools and colleges to raise awareness about safety protocols and security measures. At major stations, the presence of RPF personnel has also been increased.