Handicapped compartment crowded by ladies

Railway officials inspecting the handicapped compartment find that the largest offenders are women, and often difficult to evict

Suburban railway authorities conducting drives after complaints of the illegal use of train compartments meant for the physically challenged, were surprised to find that these were generally filled with regular female commuters.


Women commuters say regular compartments are too crowded, so they
are forced to board the handicapped compartment

"We had to take along a special team of female RPF personnel to evict them," said a ticket collector, who was part of the drive. The ticket collector added that while men are quick to disembark as soon as they see men in uniform, or are told to get off, women spell trouble. "They refuse to get down, saying they are unable to get into the ladies compartment."u00a0

u00a0"We are tired of filing complaints about able-bodied people boarding compartments reserved for physically challenged commuters. Although things have improved thanks to the continuous drive," said Pradip Anjaria, president of Disability Advocacy Group.

A resident of Vapi, Anjaria commutes regularly between Lower Parel and Borivali. "I have seen many women travelling in our coaches. It's sad that even pregnant ladies board our coach because when don't find space to stand comfortably in the ladies compartment," said 51 year-old Anjaria, who is a fashion technocrat.

Railway authorities registered 251 cases of unauthorised travellers between August 16 and 25. A total of 1,331 trains from Churchgate and Virar stations were checked and fines amounting to Rs 46,044 were collected. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) police and 12 commercial flying squads were deployed for the drive. Passengers travelling illegally were charged a fine of Rs 100; many were produced before the railway magistrate.

"We came across a surprising majority of female offenders," said Girish Pillai, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Western Railway.

The Central Railway is also conducting a similar drive. In the last 10 days, over 400 passengers were fined. Sriniwas Mudgerikar, Chief PRO, Central Railway, said, "We started the special drive after many receivedu00a0 from physically challenged commuters. Some were even threatened by able-bodied commuters when they complained."