In all, 330 children have been rescued from railway stations by the Western Railway this year, a release from WR said. The Union railway ministry has dedicated 2018-19 to the rescue of women and children.
Ashwani Lohani, chairman, Railway Board, said in keeping with the standard operating procedure (SOP) introduced in March 2015 by the Indian Railways with the support of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Welfare, help desks have been set up at Mumbai Central, Bandra Terminus, Surat, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Ratlam and Rajkot stations.
Ravinder Bhakar, CPRO, WR, said 335 girls and 673 boys were rescued from railway stations by their personnel in 2017 and handed over to social workers or the police. In 2018, 110 girls and 220 boys have been rescued till May. In keeping with the theme for the year, WR is taking measures including displaying helpline numbers on trains to sensitise passengers to women and child safety. “Whenever a distressed child is found, it is important to ensure he or she doesn’t fall into wrong hands,” Mr. Bhaker added.