Railways is grappling with manpower shortage hence is unable to provide adequate security to women commuters.
The molestation of a 22 year old woman in the unguarded ladies compartment of a Churchgate bound local has once again raised questions about the security of women commuters in the city. Many molestation incidents have occurred in the local trains in the past but often the railways washes its hands off by citing the shortage of manpower to guard the ladies compartments. Often there have been incidents about lack of policemen in suburban trains thereby increasing risks of molestation activities. According to Railway Police Commissioner Madhukar Pandey there is a shortage of about 600 personnel in the GRP (Government Railway Police). Thus currently only 600 personnel are available for providing security to women commuters in the metropolis.
The western line of the city’s suburban railway route begins from Churchgate and ends at Dahanu. On other hand, the central railway suburban line originates from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) and ends at Khopoli /Kasara whereas harbour line services begin from CST and terminate at Panvel. Thus the responsibility of providing security to women travelling on these lines lies with the GRP. Right now security is offered to women commuters from 8.30 pm in the night till 6 am in the morning. However, the railways is grappling with man power shortage hence is unable to provide adequate security to women commuters. Right now 600 police personnel are available for guarding women compartments.
According to Railway Police Commissioner Madhukar Pandey, “The issue of providing security to women commuters is a serious matter and we are taking steps to address it. Women’s security cannot be compromised at any cost. We are now taking stock of the security of women passengers. We need 600 police personnel to provide security to women commuters.”
“The railways have already given a nod for the appointment of 500 home guards for assisting the railway police in the security duty. Besides this they will also check bags, suspecting passengers at railway station premises. However, many times only 200 or 300 homeguards are available for duty. We have already provided information pertaining to this to the senior Home guard officials. We are yet to receive any feedback from them. Around 100 to 150 home guards will be required to beef up the security” he added.
On August 6, the accused Pappu Yadav (19), hailing from Odisha, groped the 22-year-old female MBA student in the ladies compartment of Churchgate bound local train in between Grant Road and Charni Road railway stations. In a joint operation the Railway Protection Force (RCF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP) tracked down the molester, in blue T-shirt and red three-fourth, from a footpath at Fountain in Fort locality on Monday.
