Lok Sabha Question No. 1613 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Follow-up Safety Mechanism in Railway
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri K E Prakash

## GOVERNMENT  OF INIDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. T6{3

## TO BE ANSWERED ON T O.12.2O25

## FOLLOW.UP  SAFETY MEGHANISM IN RAILWAY

## t 6{ 3. Shri K E Prakash:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is exploring the possibility of introducing a follow-up safety mechanism, such as travel check calls, digital alert systems/other modes of communication for women travelling alone
- for over 24 hours in trains and if so, the details thereofl
- (b) whether there is any possibility of funding such an initiative under the Nirbhaya Fund and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the  Government Plans to  collect feedback from beneficiaries  and assess effectiveness  of the implementation of the said mechanism and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether such mechanism if found successful, will be considered for implementation across the country and if so, the details thereof?

## AHSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING  AND ELEGTRONICS  & INFORMATION TEGHNOLOGY

## (sHRr ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d) Potice and Public Order are State subiects under the Seventh Schedule to the Gonstitution  of India and, as such, State Governments

are  responsible  for prevention, detection, registration and investigation  of crime and maintaining law and order etc. on Railways through their law enforcement  agencies viz. Government Railway Police (GRP)/District  Police. However, Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of GRP/District Police to  provide better protection and security of passenger area and passengers and for matters connected therewith.

Railway has launched 'Meri Saheli initiative on 17.1O,2O2O  across the lndian Railway with an objective to provide enhanced safetlr and security to lady passengers  travelling alone by trains for their entire journey i,e. from the originating station to destination station in long distance trains.

Dedicated teams of lady RPF personnel have been formed for its implementatiolt.  Presently, approx 25O RPF teams are being deployed for this purpose covering approx 5OO trains on an average daily over the lndian Railways network. Meri Saheli team members brief the target passengers  about the security measures to be adopted during the  iourney  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, Gomputer Tablets have been provided to the teams procured from Nirbhaya Funds for quick response & ease of doing. Feedback from the lady passengers are also taken to ana lyze the achievements & shortcomings  of this initiative with an aim to improve it further,

The following steps are also being taken by the Raitways in coordination with GRP/Local Police for  safety and security of passengers  including women passengers in trains and at railway stations:-

- i. On vulnerable  and identified routes/sections  trains are escorted by Railway Protection Force in addition to trains escorted by
2. Government Railway Folice of different States,
- ii. Zonal railways have been instructed  for deptoynnent of proper combined  strength of male & female RPF/RPSF personnel in train escort parties, to the extent possible.
- lll. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate passengers to take precautions against theft,
5. snatching, drugging etc
6. iv, Railway Help Line number { 39 (integrated with Emergency Response Support System No, 1121 is operational (24lx7l over Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
- V. Surueillance is kept through GGTV calmeras provided in number of  coaches and railway stations for enhanced security of passengetrs.
- vi. Railways are in regular touch with pas$eni"rc through various social media platforms to enhance security of passengers and to address their security concerns.
- vii. Special drives are conducted to restrict endry of male passengers into the corrpaltments reserwed for ladies,
- viii. Alarm chains have been provided in all the coaches for usage to stop the train during exigencies/emergencies.

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