Lok Sabha Question No. 3312 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Security of Women
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sanghamitra Maurya, Keshari Devi Patel, Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Vinayak Bhaurao Raut

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3312

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## SECURITY OF WOMEN

†3312. DR. SANGHMITRA MAURYA:

SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL:

SHRI SANJAY JADHAV:

SHRI VINAYAK RAUT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance    of  the  increasing number  of  cases  of  misbehaviour/molestation  with  women  in  the Railways;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  therefor  during  the  last  five  years  along  with  the action taken by the Government thereon;
- (c) the  number  of  cases  of  misbehaviour/  molestation  cases  received  by the Government during the year 2021-2023;
- (d) the number of cases registered along with the steps being taken by the Government for resolution of this issue, zone-wise;
- (e) whether  the  Government  contemplates  to  increase  monitoring  within the train coaches for better security of the railway passengers;
- (f) if so, the details thereof;
- (g) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  scheme  for  organizing public  awareness  programmes  in  the  running  trains  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (h) the other steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for the safety and security of women passengers in the trains?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (h) OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  3312  BY  DR.  SANGHMITRA  MAURYA, SHRIMATI  KESHARI  DEVI  PATEL,  SHRI  SANJAY  JADHAV  AND  SHRI VINAYAK RAUT ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 09.08.2023 REGARDING SECURITY OF WOMEN

(a) to (h): '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 number of incidents reported of violence against women in Railways are published by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Based on the data published by NCRB available upto 2021, there is considerable decrease  in  the  cases  of  crime  against  women  reported  over  Indian railways during the year 2021 as compared to the year 2018 & 2019. Data of  crime  in  the  year  2020  is  not  considered  for  comparison  as  the passenger  train  operation  was  severely  curtailed  due  to  the  onset  of Covid - 19. Figures for the year 2022 and the current year have not been published by NCRB.

Surveillance is kept through CCTV cameras provided in 7264 coaches and 866 Railway Stations for enhanced security of passengers.

Awareness campaigns through, posters, banners, distribution of leaflets, videos on Railway Display Network (RDN) etc. are conducted on regular basis to educate passengers for taking necessary precautionary measures during their journey.

Further, the following steps are being taken by the Railways in coordination with GRP/Local Police for safety and security of passengers including women passengers in trains:-

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. Railways are in regular touch with passengers through various social media platforms like. Twitter, Facebook, Koo etc. to enhance security of passengers and to address their security concerns.
3. Railway  Help  Line  number  139  is  operational  (24x7)  over  Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
4. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate  passengers  to  take  precautions  against  theft,  snatching, drugging etc.
5. Under 'Meri Saheli' initiative, focused attention has been provided for safety and security of lady passengers travelling alone by trains for their entire journey i.e. from originating station to destination station.
6. 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.
7. Drives  are  conducted  against  entry  of  male  passengers  into  the compartments reserved for ladies.
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.

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