Measures
taken by Indian Railways for improving passenger safety and passenger amenities
in suburban trains are as follows:
·
The suburban
train coaches made in Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, have features of
cushioned seats in First Class and Polycarbonate seats in Second Class for
better aesthetics and passenger comfort. These coaches also have provision of
forced air ventilation, passenger information and announcement system,
stainless steel fixtures, Light Emitting Diode (LED) tube lights, etc. Other features
for passenger safety include, stainless steel coach body, improved design rigid
hand holds, slip free grab pole, etc. in the coaches.
·
Facilitating
passengers and reducing trespassing by building of more Foot Over Bridges,
provision of escalators and lifts, blocking gaps in the boundary walls on
either side, fencing of the area between two platforms so that the people are
not tempted to jump from one platform to another by crossing tracks, Reducing
gap between coaches and platforms.
·
Stringent
and regular inspection of all safety items are carried out during scheduled
inspections as specified by Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO).
·
In Western
Railway suburban system Auxiliary Warning System is in place to prevent
collision in case of Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD).
·
Public
awareness campaigns are organized by Railway Protection Force (RPF) to brief
the public about the hazards of crossing tracks, roof top traveling and stunts.
·
Policing on
Railways is a State subject and prevention of crime, registration of cases and
their investigation in railway premises as well as on running trains including
in suburban train service across the country are the statutory responsibility
of the State Governments, which they discharge through Government Railway
Police (GRP) of the States concerned. However, Railway Protection Force (RPF)
supplements the efforts of Government Railway Police by deploying its staff for
escorting of important trains in affected areas and access control duties at
important and sensitive stations
The
following measures are being taken by the Railways to ensure safe and secure
journey to the passengers including women passengers:
·
Ladies
special trains are being escorted by lady RPF staff, wherever available, in
sub-urban sections.
·
The ladies
compartments in local trains are being escorted by RPF and GRP during peak
/non-peak hours. Staff deployment is made during late night and early morning
local trains to ensure proper security to the lady passengers.
·
Shakti Mahila
teams headed by Lady RPF officers and Nirbhaya Squad headed by GRP official
have been formed over Central Railway to act against the offenders harassing
women passengers.
·
12 Mahila
Vahinis (women RPF companies) have been sanctioned to strengthen security of
women passengers in suburban section of metropolitan cities.
·
Security
Help-Line number 182 has become operational in Zonal Railways’ Control Rooms to
enable passengers to seek security related assistance on real time basis.
·
A daily
average of 1300 trains is escorted by Railway Protection Force. In addition
2200 trains are escorted by Government Railway Police of different States.
·
To empower
the RPF to create a more effective security mechanism over Indian Railways, a
proposal for amendment in the RPF Act has been moved by the Ministry of
Railways with the approval of the Ministries of Law and Justice and Home
Affairs.
·
An Integrated
Security System (ISS) including electronic surveillance through Close Circuit
Television (CCTV) to enhance security over 202 sensitive and vulnerable railway
stations is under implementation.
·
RPF holds
regular coordination meetings with State Police at all levels to ensure proper
registration and investigation of crime by GRP.
·
A Mobile App
named “M-Indicator” has been launched by Railways in Mumbai Sub-urban section
in the Month of January, 2015.
·
Regular
Drives against man entering coaches reserved for ladies by RPF under section
162 of the Railways Act.
This information was given by the Minister of State
for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha
today.
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AKS/MKV/MN/dk/rv
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