Lok Sabha Question No. 2702 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Initiatives of operation 'Meri Saheli'
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Benny Behanan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2702

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024

## INITIATIVES OF OPERATION 'MERI SAHELI'

## 2702 SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has assessed the efficacy of measures like CCTV installation, face recognition technology and Child Help Desks (CHDs)  in  safeguarding  vulnerable  children  and  women  on  railway premises;
- (b) the  current  status  of  the  'operation  'Meri  Saheli'  initiative  and  the impact of the said initiative on the safety of single female travelers on Railways along with future expansion plans;
- (c) whether collaborative initiatives are underway between the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Ministry of Railways and State Governments to expedite the establishment of AHTUs and if so, the nature of these initiatives and targeted timelines for completion; and
- (d) the  projected  timeline  for  the  nationwide  expansion  of  Child  Help Desks  at  major  railway  stations  and  the  number  of  stations  where such desks have already been provided?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  CCTV cameras having the component of Face Recognition System (FRS) are installed at a number of Railway Stations & in coaches to enhance the security  of  Railway  passengers.  Also,  Child  Help  desks  (CHDs)  have  been setup at various stations across the Indian Railway to safeguard children in need of care and protection. These CCTVs have been beneficial in identifying and  taking  suitable  steps  to  safeguard  vulnerable  children  and  women  in railway premises more effectively. (b):  Meri Saheli initiative was launched across the Indian Railways network on 17.10.2020 with the objective to provide enhanced safety and security to woman passengers travelling alone by trains for their entire journey i.e. from the originating station to destination station in long distance trains. Presently 250 Meri Saheli teams comprising of lady RPF personnel are being deployed  which  attended  488  trains  &  12900  ladies  travelling  alone  on  an average  daily. This has  been  helpful in providing  security  to  women passengers and feel them safe during their travel. (c):  In  order  to  strengthen  action  against  Human  Trafficking,  RPF  has established  more  than  750  Anti  Human  Trafficking  Units  (AHTUs)  over  the Indian  Railways  at  Post  (Thana)  level.  Also,  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  is supplementing  the  efforts  of  RPF  and  has  sanctioned  Rs.  12.6  Cr.  for strengthening  of  these  AHTUs.  These  AHTUs  coordinate  with  AHTUs  of Police  &  CAPFs  (Central  Armed  Police  Forces)  i.e.  Border  Security  Force (BSF)  &  Sashastra  Seema  Bal  (SSB)  functioning  at  district  level/state levels/International  Borders  and  with  Intelligence  Units,  NGOs  and  other stakeholders and take coordinated effective action on traffickers as per law. (d):  Ministry  of  Women  &  Child  Development  has  implemented  a  centrally sponsored  scheme  'Mission  Vatsalya  Scheme  (MVS)'  where  Districts  have been  made  responsible  for  establishment  and  operation  of  CHDs.  Indian Railways has signed an MoU with MoWCD where railways has committed for providing the space for establishment of CHDs. MoWCD has finalized setting of CHDs at 135 Railway stations and Railways has provided the space for its operation.

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