First coaches of Namma Metro trains can’t have ‘women-only’ board

BENGALURU: The first coach in the new six-coach Metro train may be reserved for women passengers, but BMRCL says it cannot install a signboard to that effect on the coach. Reason: the train does not take a U-turn at the terminal and, instead, runs in the reverse while starting from the other end.
Now that the women-only coach is up and running, several women commuters are demanding a nameboard on the first coach. They say such a board will not only help women passengers travel without fear, but will also make it clear for men that it’s a no-go zone for them.

However, BMRCL officials say this is not possible. “We cannot put out any board or plate on the first coach of Metro trains. It is not like an ordinary train where the engine can be detached and placed in front during each onward journey,” said a Metro official.

BMRCL says commuters will gradually get used to the fact that the first coach is only for women. It is also making announcements on trains, stating that the first coach, just behind the loco pilot’s compartment, is exclusively for women travellers.

“It’s impossible to board these trains during peak hours. A women-only compartment makes us feel safe and comfortable. But many male passengers too are entering the compartment, ” said S Revathy who commutes between Mysuru Road and Byappanahalli daily.

“I didn’t know this coach was only for women passengers. There are no display boards specifying the same. I thought only the first two doors are reserved for women,” said a male commuter who boarded the train from Hosahalli Metro station. Each Metro coach has four doors. In February, BMRCL announced that first two entrances of all trains can be accessed only by women.

When contacted, BMRCL managing director Mahendra Jain said he’d look into the issue and resolve it. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation imposes penalty for unlawful entry into the compartment reserved for women.

A S Shankar, executive director of operations and maintenance, BMRCL, said there has been some confusion as the six-car train is new to passengers. “We are considering putting a band separating the ladies compartment from the rest. We will deploy additional staff at platforms where the first coach arrives to ensure discipline and, if required, also deploy women staff inside the ladies compartment,” he adds.

No loud music please

BMRCL has urged passengers not to play loud music on trains and use headsets instead. It’s also been making announcements on trains about the same, following complaints from passengers about some commuters causing nuisance by playing loud music on their mobile phones.