Lok Sabha Question No. 1599 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-28
Subject: Safety during Train Journey
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Anil Firojiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1599 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2021

## SAFETY DURING TRAIN JOURNEY

†1599. SHRI. ANIL FIROJIYA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  any  need  to  implement  FIR  system  in  railway network;
- (b) whether any concrete steps are being taken to make train journey safe;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the motto of  RPF  should be  no  tolerance  towards  crime; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (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.1599 BY SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK SABHA ON 28.07.2021 REGARDING SAFETY DURING TRAIN JOURNEY

(a) to (e): 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  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  to  provide  better protection and security of passenger areas and passengers and for related matters.

States are having different mechanisms for lodging of FIR and registration of crimes. However, to facilitate travelling passengers in running trains to report a crime, First Information Report (FIR) forms are available with TTE, Guard of RPF/GRP train escorting staff. After filling it up, the Form may be handed over to one of the said officials for registration of the case at the next Police Station irrespective of the jurisdiction for taking cognizance on it. If the place of occurrence does not fall in their jurisdiction, the case is registered  under  Zero  FIR  and  transferred  to  the  concerned  Government Railway  Police  Station  having  jurisdiction.  Further  course  of  action  is taken by the Police as per extant legal provisions. Regular coordination is made 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.  RPF  is committed for safe and secure journey of passengers and leaves no stone unturned to ensure it.

Further, the following steps are being taken by the Railways in coordination  with  Government  Railway  Police  for  safety  and  security  of passengers in trains and at stations:-

1. On  vulnerable  and  identified  routes/sections,  trains  are  escorted  by Railway Protection Force in addition to trains escorted by Government Railway Police of different States daily.
2. Railway  Help  Line  number  139  is  operational  (24x7)  over  Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
3. Through  various  social  media  platforms  viz.  twitter,  facebook  etc., Railways  are  in  regular  touch  with  passengers  including  women  to enhance security of passengers and to address their security concern.
4. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate  passengers  to  take  precautions  against  theft,  snatching, drugging etc.
5. Drives are conducted against entry of unauthorized persons in trains and railway premises.
6. Station  Security  Plan  is  being  implemented  at  major  stations  in  a phased manner to enhance access control, improve surveillance and achieve synergy between deployment of various security agencies on the station.
7. CCTV cameras have been provided in 4010 coaches and 814 Railway stations for enhancing security of passengers.
8. Emergency Talk Back System and Closed Circuit Television Surveillance Cameras have been provided in ladies compartments/coaches of  all  newly  manufactured  Electrical  Multiple Unit (EMU) and Air-conditioned rakes of Kolkata Metro.
9. RPF has taken several measures to provide better security of women passengers.  An  Pan-Indian  initiative  'Meri  Saheli'  was  launched  by RPF  on  17.10.2020  with  objective  to  provide  enhanced  safety  and security to lady passengers travelling by trains for their entire journey

- i.e. from the originating station to destination station. The focus is to provide  the  security  to  lady  passengers  especially  those  travelling alone and to develop a sense of security among them. Teams of lady officers and staff have been formed who are well trained and briefed about the objective.
10. State  Level  Security  Committee  for  Railways  (SLSCR)  have  been constituted for all State/Union Territories (UTs) under the Chairmanship of respective Director General of Police/Commissioner of States/UTs for regular monitoring and review of security arrangement for the Railways.

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