No helpline nos for women passengers in local trains

The helpline number for women passengers, introduced by the Pune division of the Central Railway in 2009, has failed to reach them.

Pune was the first division to introduce the helpline. However, lack of awareness among the public has resulted in only 22 complaints being registered in the year 2012. The number is not displayed in most of the trains, leaving passengers in dismay.
Thousands of passengers travel to and fro in nearly 40 local trains plying between Pune and Lonavla daily.

Ketaki Prayag, a Talegaon resident, who often travels by the local train, said, “Though there have been several occasions where men travel in the ladies compartments, there is no scope to complain as the helpline numbers aren’t displayed. The railway authority should display the number prominently so that they are visible from every corner of the compartment.” Amruta Mutha, another railway passenger, said, “Many of the passengers are not aware of this helpline number as it is not displayed in the trains.”

YK Singh, public relation officer of the central railway’s Pune division, said, “We have decided that the helpline numbers will be displayed prominently in all the trains. Besides, we will be publishing the helpline number in newspapers too.”