Maligaon, Sept 09: N.F. Railway (NFR) has focused on the safety of travellers, especially women passengers who travel alone by long-distance trains. NFR has dedicated teams of women Railway Protection Force (RPF), namely “Meri Saheli”, deployed across the zone.
To provide safety and security to the women travellers across the rail network, women RPF personnel are deployed for duties like train escorting, and passenger and station security under the Meri Saheli initiative.
Currently,15 dedicated “Meri Saheli” squads consisting of female RPF personnel are functioning at various railway stations across the zone. The squad comprises of lady RPF officers and staff who take care of the single lady travellers in the train.
There are 53 Anti Human Trafficking Units are functioning over NFR for providing safety to woman passengers from possible traffickers. In the current year 04 female passengers were rescued from being trafficked and 03 involved traffickers were arrested. In the current year upto August, 2024, six cases of crime against women have been detected and 06 criminals have been arrested.
Moreover, on an average 10 trains are provided with mixed-escort parties, comprising lady staff along with male staff of RPF so that they may provide an instant helping hand to any travelling lady passengers in need.
To strengthen women’s security, 46 stations are covered with CCTV surveillance system over NFR to ensure and invoke a better safe and secure environment amongst the women travelling through Railways.
Also, closing of doors of the stabled coaches are ensured, so that the empty coaches may not be utilized for committing any crime against the women within the Railway premises.
RPF of NFR has been proactively working for the safety and security of women travelling in the Railways. Steps are taken to promote women’s empowerment and address the needs of women personnel while performing their duties.
