Lok Sabha Question No. 2182 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Coaches for Women in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Ram Shiromani Verma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2182 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2025

## COACHES FOR WOMEN IN TRAINS

## †2182. SHRI RAM SHIROMANI VERMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  number  of  additional  compartments  for  women  in various trains running on important routes in the country is quite less;
- (b)   if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether the Government  proposes  to increase the number  of compartment/coaches for women in trains to ensure adequate security of women passengers;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  the number of cases of molestation of women and assault on them registered by RPF and GRPF during the last three years, region/zone-wise; and
- (f) the other steps being  taken  by  the  Government  for  safe  and comfortable journey of women passengers?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (f)  Section 58 of the Railways Act, 1989 provides for earmarking of accommodation  for  female  passengers  in  trains.  Accordingly,  in  trains carrying passengers, Indian Railways have earmarked following accommodation for female passengers:
- i. A reservation quota of six berths in sleeper class in long distance Mail/Express trains and a reservation quota of six berths in 3AC class of Garib Rath/Rajdhani/Duronto/fully air-conditioned Express

trains  for  female  passengers  irrespective  of  their  age  travelling

- alone or in a group of female passengers.
- ii. A  combined  reservation  quota  of  six  to  seven  lower  berths  per coach in Sleeper class, four to five lower berths per coach each in Air Conditioned 3 tier (3AC) and three to four lower berths per coach in Air Conditioned 2 tier (2AC) classes (depending on the number of coaches of that class in the train) for senior citizens, female  passengers  45  years  of  age  and  above  and  pregnant women.
- iii. Second  class  accommodation  for  women  in  the  second  Classcum-Luggage-cum  Guard's  Coach  (SLR)  in  most  of  the  long distance Mail/Express trains.
- iv. Exclusive unreserved coaches/compartments for female passengers in EMU (Electrical Multiple Unit)/DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit)/MMTS(Multi Modal Transport System) trains & local passenger  trains  depending  upon  demand  pattern  as  well  as availability of accommodation.
- v. Running  of  ladies  special  EMU/MEMU/MMTS  services  on  the suburban sections of Mumbai, Kolkata, Secunderabad and Chennai  as  well  as  on  the  Delhi-National  Capital  Region  (NCR) sections.

Earmarking of accommodation for female passengers in trains, its review based on demand pattern and provision of other facilities for their safe and comfortable journey is a continuous and ongoing exercise. However, in  addition  to  the  accommodation  earmarked  for  female  passengers  as mentioned above, following other major steps have been taken by Indian Railways in co-ordination with Government Railway Police to ensure safe

& comfortable journey of female passengers:-

1. On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, trains are escorted by Railway  Protection  Force  (RPF)  in  addition  to  trains  escorted  by Government Railway Police (GRP) of different States daily.
2. For immediate assistance passengers can make complaint on Rail Madad Portal  directly  or  through  Helpline  Number  139  (integrated with National Emergency No.112).
3. Railways  are  in  regular  touch  with  passengers  through  various social  media  platforms  viz.  twitter,  facebook,  etc.  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. Closed-circuit  television  (CCTV)  cameras  have  been  provided  in coaches and at Railway Stations for enhanced security of passengers.
6. Under 'Meri Saheli'  initiative,  focused  attention  has  been  provided for  safety and security of lady passengers travelling alone by long distance trains for their entire journey i.e. from originating station to destination station.
7. Zonal  Railways  have  been  instructed  for  deployment  of  proper combined  strength  of  male  &  female  RPF/RPSF  personnel  in  train escort parties, to the extent possible.
8. 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.

'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.

Data related to molestation and assault of women on Indian Railways is published  by  National  Crime  Records  Bureau  in  its  publication  Crime  in India, which is available on their official website.

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