Lok Sabha Question No. 2847 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: 'Meri Saheli' Initiative in Northern Railway Zone
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Adv Priya Saroj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2847

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025

## 'MERI SAHELI' INITIATIVE IN NORTHERN RAILWAY ZONE

## 2847. ADV PRIYA SAROJ:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  number  of  cases  of  harassment  and  theft  reported  by women passengers on trains running through Uttar Pradesh during the last three years;
- (b) the number of trains in the Northern Railway zone that are currently escorted  by  RPF/GRP  female  constables  under  the  'Meri  Saheli' initiative;
- (c) the  status  of  CCTV  camera  installation  in  the  ladies'  coaches  of suburban and passenger trains operating in the Varanasi-Lucknow sector; and
- (d) whether there  is  any  proposal  to  install  panic  buttons  in  General and Sleeper coaches and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

The State-wise details of cases of crimes against women passengers over Indian railways are published by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in 'Crime in India'.

'Meri Saheli' initiative is undertaken for focused attention for safety and security of woman passengers travelling alone by long distance trains for their  entire  journey  i.e.  from  originating  station  to  destination  station. Presently, 32 'Meri Saheli' teams have been deployed at important railway stations over Northern Railway. These teams brief the woman passengers travelling  alone  about  the  security  measures  to  be  adopted  during  the journey and the details of the channels available for seeking the help in distress. The RPF posts falling enroute are also informed well in advance about the movement of lady passengers travelling alone and are kept on high alert to respond to any situation without any loss of time. Also, 10 trains  are  escorted  in  vulnerable  section  by  women  RPF  and  GRP personnel over Northern Railway. The CCTV cameras have been installed in 130 ladies coaches  of suburban (MEMU/DEMU)  trains operating inNorthern  and  North  Eastern  Railway.  Further,  instruction  have  been issued to Zonal Railways and Production Units to install CCTV cameras in coaches to strengthen passenger security.

Improvement  /  up-gradation  of  Rolling  Stock  to  enhance  safety  and comfort  of  passengers  is  a  continuous  and  ongoing  process  on  Indian Railways.

There is  a  provision  of  4  Emergency  Talk  Back  Units  in  every  coach  of Vande Bharat trains. This facilitates communications of passengers with Train Manager / Loco-pilots in case of exigencies. Passenger Emergency Alarm Buttons have been provided in the Vande Bharat Train. Each coach has been provisioned with 4 such push buttons for emergency usage.

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