Indian Railway (Social Media)
India News: In a significant step toward ensuring safer and more inclusive travel, Indian Railways has introduced a major facility upgrade exclusively for women passengers across its extensive network. The initiative includes dedicated coaches for women, improved onboard security, AI-powered surveillance systems, and priority booking options for female groups. The aim is to create a secure and comfortable environment for women, especially during long-distance and night journeys. With additional features like female marshals, mobile app alerts, and women-only zones at stations, this move marks a transformative shift in public transport safety standards for women in India.
Indian Railways has officially introduced dedicated coaches for women in select long-distance and suburban trains. This move aims to ensure greater comfort and privacy for female passengers, particularly during night journeys. These coaches will be marked distinctly and equipped with CCTV cameras for surveillance. The initiative is part of the government’s larger safety-focused vision for public transportation. Officials stated that the rollout will begin with metropolitan routes before expanding nationwide.
To enhance onboard security, the Railways will deploy trained female marshals in these women-only coaches. These personnel will be responsible for ensuring a safe environment throughout the journey. They will also be equipped with body cams and emergency contact systems. The presence of female security will not only deter harassment but also offer psychological comfort to solo travelers. Railway Protection Force (RPF) teams will work closely with these marshals. Their coordination will focus on timely intervention in case of any incidents.
Cutting-edge AI-enabled monitoring systems will be installed in trains and platforms to track suspicious activities. These smart cameras can detect loitering, unauthorized entries, or altercations in real time. Live feeds will be monitored by central control rooms to enable swift action. Railway officials assert that these upgrades reflect the government’s commitment to women’s safety. Similar systems have proven effective in metro cities and will now be scaled to railway operations.
Group bookings for women passengers will receive preferential treatment under the new policy. Special quotas have been introduced to allow groups of women to book seats in the exclusive coaches. This comes as a major relief for students, working professionals, and women tour groups. The priority booking window will open 24 hours before general bookings. Officials believe this measure will significantly ease travel planning for women.
The Railways is revamping its official mobile app to include a dedicated emergency help feature for women. With just a single tap, female passengers can alert railway authorities during distress. The SOS button will instantly transmit location and coach details to RPF units. In-app chat and voice options will also be added to assist travelers in multiple languages. Authorities emphasized that technology will play a key role in fast-tracking safety responses.
In another first, key railway stations will introduce “Women Safety Zones” monitored by female staff. These zones will be equipped with better lighting, seating, and direct emergency communication links. Located near main entrances and platforms, they will serve as a refuge point for female passengers, especially during night hours. Indian Railways aims to implement this across all A-category stations within six months. Passenger feedback will be continuously collected to improve these zones.
To complement the infrastructural upgrades, the Railways will run nationwide awareness campaigns on women’s safety protocols. Passengers will be educated about new facilities via posters, announcements, and digital media. A special women’s helpline will be strengthened with more staff and faster response times. Railway officials reiterated their zero-tolerance stance on harassment. The broader goal is to create a travel environment where women feel empowered, not vulnerable.
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