To ensure maximum safety and security of women passengers on trains, Railways Protection Force (RPF) has launched the pilot project ‘Operation Meri Saheli’ on September 29. In a little over a month since its launch the number 9102990687 has received as many as 18 calls.
On November 1, members of the Meri Saheli team received information stating that on train number 07007 Secunderabad- Darbhanga special train, a woman was suffering from labour pain in coach S-10.
The members then reached the spot and requested the lady and her husband to get off the train at Ranchi and seek medical help but the passenger refused.
The team later received a call from the railway security control asking them to provide assistance to the lady. With the help of station manager Ranchi, the woman was rushed to RIMS Hospital in a railway ambulance where she delivered a baby girl on November 2. The couple is extremely thankful to RPF for their assistance.
As a part of the initiative women passengers especially those travelling alone are identified by RPF women personnel at the originating station. The passengers are then briefed and counseled about the precautions that need to be taken during the journey and are advised to dial 182 or 9102990687 in case of any problem.
“It is an initiative for the safety of lady passengers travelling by train. So far it has received very positive responses. Any calls made to the Meri Saheli number will be answered by a lady constable which will help women in explaining their problems better,” said Neeraj Kumar Chief Public Relations Officer, Ranchi Division.
The RPF team also collects the seats numbers of the female passengers and further shares them with personnel at corresponding stations. At the destination, feedback from the identified passengers is collected for corrective response.
Meri Saheli members also help women passengers in availing auto rickshaw, bus services, carrying belongings of elderly and needy passengers.