We need to take women’s safety more seriously

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A report in this paper focussed on a 35-year-old woman, an accountant from Kalyan who flagged lack of visible security on late-night local train services, particularly during long halts between Thakurli and Kalyan, and said she faced difficulties while trying to reach the railway women's helpline.

This frequent commuter who travels between Nahur and Kalyan daily, said she regularly boards whichever train is available for Kalyan and usually travels between 11.30 pm and 12.30 am. She added she often finds herself as one of the only passengers in the ladies compartment.

Her observation that Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and other security staff are present on late-night trains but they do not always remain in the ladies' compartments for the entire journey, is of particular concern.

She had raised concerns with security personnel about finding herself alone in the women's compartment but was told to move to the general compartment. She rightly stated she did not think that was a safe solution or an option as women should have dedicated safety personnel in the train.

Security personnel should remain inside ladies compartments during late-night services, for the duration of the entire journey even if the compartment has one or no passengers. Maybe there can be one compartment for ladies clearly marked at night. This should be done with announcements and clearly designated.

It is unacceptable that the helpline is of no help at all. These incidents only deepen distrust as we have witnessed helplines in name only in a number of other instances.