Lok Sabha Question No. 391 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-12
Subject: Removal of Women Coaches
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: K. C. VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 391 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2018

## REMOVAL OF WOMEN COACHES

391.  SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  has  decided  to  stop  the  unreserved coaches exclusively for women in long-distance trains and set-aside a few seats for women as practised in buses;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Railways has decided to remove such coaches from LHB coaches and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the manner in which the railway plans to ensure safety of women in the general coaches; and
- (e) whether the Government is ready to continue the  status quo in all  trains  including  those  using LHB coaches and if so, the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 391 BY SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 12.12.2018  REGARDING  REMOVAL OF WOMEN COACHES

(a) to (c) & (e): In the LHB rakes, under slung power car with sitting on  top  has  been  manufactured  in  which  there  is  a  provision  for providing accommodation for persons with disability, guard and 30 passengers. Accommodation for female passengers will be earmarked after these coaches are put in regular service.

(d):  Policing on Railways being a State subject, prevention of crime, registration  of  cases,  their  investigation  and  maintenance  of  law and  order  in  Railway  premises  as  well  as  on  running  trains  and security  of  railway  tracks,  tunnels  and  bridges  are  the  statutory responsibility  of  the  State  Governments,  which  they  discharge through Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police.  However, Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of GRP in providing  better  protection  and  security  of  passenger  area  and passengers and for matters connected therewith.

Besides,  the  following  steps  have  been  taken  by  the  Railways  to ensure  security  of  rail  passengers  including  security  of  women  in general coaches:

- i. On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, Railway Protection Force escorts are provided in 2500 trains (on an average) daily, in  addition  to  2200  trains  wherein  escorts  are  provided  by Government Railway Police of different States daily.
- ii. To provide round the clock security related assistance to passengers, All India Security Helpline No. 182 is operational

- through Divisional Security Control Rooms of Railway Protection Force across Indian Railways.
- iii. Through  various  social  media  platforms  viz.  twitter,  facebook etc.,  Railways  are  in  regular  touch  with  passengers  including women  passengers  to  enhance  security  of  passengers  and  to address their security concern.
- iv. Drives  are  conducted  against  entry  of  male  passengers  for entering into compartments reserved for women passengers and persons apprehended are prosecuted as per law.
- v. Ladies  Special  trains  running  in  Metropolitan  cities  are  being escorted  by  lady  RPF  personnel.  In  other  trains,  where  escorts are  provided,  the  train  escorting  parties  have  been  briefed  to keep  extra  vigil  on  the  lady  passengers  travelling  alone,  ladies coaches en-route and at halting stations.
- vi. Railways  has  planned  to  provide  CCTV  system  in  all  running passengers trains.
- vii. Liaison is made by RPF with the State Police/GRP authorities at all  levels  for  prevention  of  crime,  registration  of  cases,  their investigation  and  maintenance  of  law  and  order  in  Railway premises as well as on running trains.

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