Lok Sabha Question No. 5539 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Safer Travel to Passengers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5539 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2022

## SAFER TRAVEL TO PASSENGERS

5539. SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry has taken any steps to provide safer travel to train passengers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)    if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a) TO (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5539 BY SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN TO BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  06.04.2022  REGARDING  SAFER TRAVEL TO PASSENGERS

(a) to (c):  'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution  of  India  and,  as  such,  State  Governments are  responsible  for  prevention,  detection,  registration  and  investigation of  crime  and  maintaining  law  and  order  etc.  on  Railways  through  their law enforcement agencies viz. Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. However, Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of  GRP/District  Police  to  provide  better  protection  and security  of passenger area and passengers and for matters connected therewith.

The following steps are also being taken by the Railways in coordination with GRP 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. Drives are conducted  from  time  to  time  against the entry of unauthorized persons in trains and railway premises.
4. Through  various  social  media  platforms  viz.  twitter,  facebook  etc., Railways are in regular touch with passengers to enhance security of passengers and to address their security concern.
5. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate passengers to take precautions against theft, snatching, drugging etc.
6. CCTV cameras have been provided in 5400 coaches and 850 Railway stations for enhancing security of passengers.

7. Regular co-ordination meetings are conducted with GRP/Civil Police for collection and sharing of criminal intelligence.
8. A Pan-India initiative 'Meri Saheli' was  launched by  RPF on 17.10.2020  with  the  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 instil a sense of security in them.  Teams of lady  officers  and  staff  have  been  formed  who  are  well  trained  and briefed about the objective.
9. 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. Flasher lights have  also  been  provided  in  ladies  coaches  in  EMU  rakes  in  some zonal railways.
10. State  Level  Security  Committee  of  Railways  (SLSCR)  have  been constituted for all State/Union Territories under the Chairmanship of respective  Director  General  of  Police/Commissioner of  States/Union Territories for regular monitoring and review of security arrangements of the Railways.

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