Steps Taken to Improve Women's Safety on Trains
Authorities in Hyderabad are taking steps to improve the safety of women traveling on MMTS trains after a recent incident of sexual assault. Officials admitted that there is no rule requiring railway police to ensure women’s safety at night in these trains. In response, the railway department has installed a panic button in the women’s coach, which is directly connected to the control room for immediate assistance.
This incident has raised concerns among daily passengers, who have urged South Central Railway (SCR) officials to install CCTV cameras in train compartments, especially in MMTS trains. On Tuesday, Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager of SCR, held a meeting with officials and introduced additional security measures to protect passengers in city and suburban trains.
New Safety Measures
SCR officials announced that more female Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel will be deployed in trains, particularly in ladies’ compartments and MMTS trains, during late-night and early-morning hours. Emergency contact numbers will also be displayed in all ladies’ coaches and at key locations in railway stations.
Awareness campaigns will be conducted through public announcements at stations, posters, and digital updates. These campaigns will inform passengers about safety measures, helpline numbers, and how to report suspicious activities. Additionally, coordination between RPF and GRP will be improved by forming joint task forces to respond quickly to crimes against women.
Future Plans
A senior railway official stated that there are plans to install CCTV cameras in all train compartments, with real-time monitoring by RPF or GRP personnel. Display screens will also be installed inside trains to share safety messages. Every ladies’ coach will be equipped with an easily accessible panic button linked to a control room and the train guard.
To make reporting easier, authorities are working on integrating the existing security helpline 139 with a mobile app that will have a one-tap SOS button. Additionally, a WhatsApp group managed by female RPF personnel will be created to address women’s complaints and emergencies immediately.
Additional Security Measures
Meri Saheli Teams have been directed to travel on MMTS trains and analyze security risks affecting female passengers, particularly on high-risk routes. Officials will conduct mandatory security checks in vulnerable train sections. Officers in plain clothes will also be deployed randomly based on complaints and previous crime records.
To ensure passenger safety, railway police officers will be given breath analyzers to test and remove intoxicated passengers from trains. Authorities will also gather feedback from women passengers during their travel to improve security measures further.
