Government Railway Police (GRP) in Mumbai has taken steps to enhance the safety of women commuters following recent incidents of sexual harassment on suburban trains. The GRP will deploy personnel in uniforms in ladies' compartments and on platforms between 9 pm and 6 am to ensure the security of women during their train journeys. This move aims to address safety concerns and provide a sense of reassurance to female passengers.
To strengthen security measures, personnel from various units including GRP, Home Guards, Maharashtra Security Force, and Railway Protection Force (RPF) will work collaboratively. Over 1,200 personnel will be deployed in ladies' compartments and on platforms during the specified hours. This increased presence of security personnel is expected to deter incidents of harassment and create a safer environment for women travelers.
In cases where women passengers find that safety personnel are not present in the ladies' compartments, they can instantly call the Railway helpline on 1512 to report the issue. The GRP has taken steps to ensure that every single ladies' compartment remains attended to and that prompt action is taken in response to any concerns raised.
Since the beginning of the year, the GRP has received a substantial number of calls, with over 1.58 lakh calls received in total. Out of these, 13,921 calls were made for seeking help or providing information related to security issues. The GRP has been diligent in attending to each call and addressing the issues raised. In fact, based on these calls, the police have registered 58 serious offenses and successfully resolved 56 of these cases. This demonstrates their commitment to addressing the concerns of women commuters and ensuring their safety.
Railway Police Commissioner Ravindra Shisve highlighted that the safety of women commuters is a top priority for the GRP. The deployment of personnel in ladies' compartments and on platforms during the specified hours is a significant step towards creating a secure environment for women traveling on suburban trains. The collaboration among different units and the increased presence of security personnel will help instill confidence among women passengers.
This initiative by the GRP serves as a proactive measure to address the issue of safety and security for women commuters. By taking decisive action and ensuring the presence of security personnel, the GRP aims to prevent incidents of harassment and create a safe travel experience for women. With these measures in place, the GRP is working towards instilling a sense of security and ensuring that every woman can commute without fear.
