Railways are concerned over security of women passengers

| | Lucknow | in Lucknow

Concerned over security of women passengers, the Railways is mulling to colour women’s compartments in trains so that they be easily differentiated from other compartments in the trains.

The NER, Lucknow Division has received a letter from the Railway Board in which they have been asked to carry out programs to make women passengers aware about security during travel. 

Well placed sources disclosed that the move was initiated in to ensure women passengers’ safety. “Presently, compartments reserved for women is written on the coaches of a train. But male passengers overlook this in a hurry or violate the norms intentionally and we take preventive measures to stop this practice. If the colour of the coach is different, it will be easily detected. There are plans to fix the location of t hese coaches in a train too,” sources disclosed. 

They said the Railway Board has also asked Divisional Railway Manager, NER, Lucknow division to carry out programs including street corner plays (Nukkad Natak), distribute pamphlets, audio and video clips through radio stations to make women and children aware about safety measures and about Railway Protection Force (RPF) Helpline number during emergency.  

They said the RPF along with Railways cultural organizations will carry out security awareness drive. Under the drive, the NER Lucknow Division will be carrying out awareness drives at all railway stations under its jurisdiction. The Railways will take the help of TV sets and vantage places at stations to spread awareness among women passengers.      

PRO, NER, Lucknow Division, Alok Srivastava confirmed that a plan was in the offing. “The colour of coaches for women was yet to be decided and a decision will be taken by the Railway Board soon,” he said.

Srivastava said that preparations in regard of carrying out security awareness program was being drafted at NER, Lucknow Division. “We are preparing catchphrase to make women and children passengers aware about security which the Railways is providing. The Railways has also declared 2018-19 as 'Women and Children Year ' and the programs will be conducted on this lines,” he said. 

Presently, compartments reserved for women are available in some trains like Lucknow Mail and Kahsi Vishwanath Express. Nearly half the compartment (36 berths) is reserved for handicapped persons while the other half is for women travellers.