Women who find it difficult to get into the ladies’ compartment during peak hour will soon get a helping hand from the railway police. Female Home Guards or policewomen will be posted outside these compartments during rush-hour to ensure bullies don’t block the entrance.
The order comes from Mumbai Railway police commissioner Tukaram Chavan. He has directed every railway police station to depute policewomen outside ladies’ compartments after receiving several complaints.
Chavan’s circular to 17 railway police stations in the jurisdiction of the railway commissionerate went out earlier this week. The special squad will include an officer, women constables and women Home Guards. The squad will be posted during morning peak hours (7.30 am to 9.30 am) and evening (6 pm to 8 pm).
“Several women had complained saying they found it difficult to get down at Andheri and Dadar stations from Virar trains during peak hours as some women deliberately block the doorways. Someone could end up falling off the train at this rate,” Chavan said.
Anuja Kadulkar, member of Mahila Surkasha Samittee of Western Railway and resident of Borivli, said, “It is a good decision. It will be of great help to women commuters.”
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