Lok Sabha Question No. 344 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Women's Safety in Rails
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ms. S Jothimani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  344

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## WOMEN'S SAFETY IN RAILS

- 344 MS. S JOTHIMANI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)      whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps to  improve  the women's safety in rails;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has met its target to raise the representation of women in Railway Protection Force (RPF) to 10% of  the  total  sanctioned  strength,  as  stated  in  its  12 th   Report  on Safety and Security in Railways;
- (d)      if not, the estimated timeframe for its achievement; and
- (e) the number of stations at which CCTV cameras have been installed under the Nirbhaya fund and the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 344 BY MS. S JOTHIMANI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.11.2024 REGARDING WOMEN'S SAFETY IN RAILS

- (a)  &  (b):  '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 following steps are being taken by the Railways in coordination with GRP for safety and security of woman 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. Under 'Meri Saheli' initiative, focused attention has been provided 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.
3. Surveillance is kept through CCTV cameras provided in a number of coaches & Railway Stations for enhanced security of passengers.
4. For  immediate  assistance,  passengers  can  make  complaint  on  Rail  Madad Portal  directly  or  through  Helpline  Number  139  [integrated  with  Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) No.112].
5. Railways are in regular touch with passengers through various social media platforms like Twitter & Facebook etc. to enhance security of passengers and to address their security concern.

6. Frequent  announcements  are  made  through  Public  Address  System  to educate passengers to take precautions against theft, snatching, drugging etc.
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. Drives are conducted against entry of male passengers into the compartment reserved for women and legal action is taken against the offenders.
9. 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.
5. (c)  &  (d):    12 th   Safety  and  Security  in  Railways  Report  came in December 2016 and prior to the year 2018, the percentage of women personnel was approx 3% of the total sanctioned strength. Arising of vacancies is an ongoing process due to retirements,  promotions,  deaths,  resignations,  etc.  and  the  same  are  filled  up through  open  recruitments  and  departmental  promotions  as  per  the  existing rules. Post recruitment, percentage of women in RPF has increased from 3% to 9.38 % of the present strength.

RRB has issued notifications RPF CEN No. 01/2024 & RPF CEN No. 02/2024 for filling up 452 posts of Sub-Inspectors and 4208 posts of Constables respectively with 15% seats reserved for the women. This will further increase the percentage of women in RPF/RPSF.

(e): 566 railway stations have been provided with CCTV cameras under Nirbhaya fund so far with an expenditure of Rs. 223.67 Crores.

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