Ranchi Division will also have at least one ‘All Women Railway Station.’ Director (Information and Publicity) in Railway Board Ved Prakash said today that Indian Railways have been taking several measures in order to ensure safety to women and children in trains, besides converting 100 more stations to all women station in the next one year.
“Focusing on the safety of women and children, as many as 100 stations all over the country will be converted into ‘All Women Stations,’ out of which Ranchi Division too will be considered for at least one such station,” said Prakash. He, however, said that final decision will be taken at the Board level for identifying the stations for the purpose, he added.
“Currently there are 10 all women railway stations in the country with Gandhi Nagar railway station in Jaipur, being the country’s first major railway station to be fully-managed by women,” said the Director.
The Director (Information and Publicity) also added that stations having Child Helpline Number will be increased from 35 to 75 for the convenience of people in lodging complaints related to them. Dial - 182 in stations will also be made station based so that the grievances could be addressed locally, which earlier was addressed centrally.
“We have succeeded to rescue at total of 10,500 women and children from being trafficked or being taken away forcefully with ulterior motives during 2017-18, out of which 3000 were women,” said Prakash. To ensure more safety to women and children, women coaches, which were placed at the end of trains, will now be placed in the middle of it, he added.
“CCTV, currently being installed in stations, will be focused on the middle of platforms to keep close vigil on women coaches,” said the Director. In addition to that, to boost up the morale of the women passengers, mix crew members, including equal number of men and women staffs like -- TTE, attendants and RPF personnel as well, will be deployed so that women travelling in it could feel safe and secure while travelling in trains, he added.
Prakash also pointed out that to give their efforts a human touch, number of women RPF personnel will be increased from 2400 to 6900 out of the total strength. Currently, total strength of RPF is 65000 which will also be increased to ensure safety and security of passengers in trains.