Lok Sabha Question No. 60 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Violence/attacks on Women Passengers in Trains and Railway Premises
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri K Radhakrishnan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 60

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## VIOLENCE/ATTACKS ON WOMEN PASSENGERS IN TRAINS AND RAILWAY PREMISES

## *60. SHRI K RADHAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  increasing  number  of incidents  of  violence  and  attacks  against  women  passengers  in trains and railway premises in Kerala, including the recent shocking case of Varkala train attack reported in the State;
- (b) if  so,  the  steps taken/being taken by the Government to strengthen passenger security, particularly for women, including deployment of RPF  personnel,  installation  of  CCTV  cameras,  emergency  helplines and  women  only  measures  in  trains  originating  from  or  passing through Kerala;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  lapses  in  surveillance, lighting,  station  security  and  train  patrol  systems  leading  to  such incidents and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to provide immediate and adequate compensation to the affected women and their families and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  mechanisms in  place  to  ensure  timely  relief  and  accountability from the Railways in such cases?

## 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  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 60 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

(a) to (e): '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.

On  02.11.2025,  a  lady  passenger  while  travelling  by  sitting  on  the footboard of the coach was forcibly pushed out of the running train no. 12626 near Varkala railway station by another passenger apparently to be under the influence of alcohol. The victim was shifted to Government Medical College  Hospital,  Thiruvananthapuram  and  was  admitted  there for better treatment. In this incident, GRP/Thiruvananthapuram registered Crime No. 566/2025 u/s 109 BNS against the accused person, who  was  arrested.  The  incident  was  further  corroborated  from  the footage obtained from the CCTV fitted inside the coach.  Further, legal action is being taken by the police against the arrested accused.

Safety  of  women  is  accorded  the  high  priority  in  Indian  Railways. Following  steps  are  being  taken  by  the  Railways  in  coordination  with GRP for safety and security of women passengers in trains and at railway stations in Kerala:

1. On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, trains are escorted by Railway Protection Force in addition to trains escorted by Government Railway Police personnel 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 under the Chairmanship of Director General of Police/Commissioner  of  State  for  regular  monitoring  and  review  of security arrangements of the Railways.

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