‘MERI SAHELI’ programme launched by Railway Protection Force of Indian railways to ensure the safety of women passengers during the entire journey.
According to the reports, the passenger count increases at railways stations at the time of the festive season. Reviewing this Indian railway have started to take initiatives regarding crowd management and passenger security. For passenger security, an industry is launched by Indian railways named ‘MERI SAHELI’.
KEY POINTS
- This initiative involves the formation of a team, including a lady officer and other staff members.
- The team will note down all the details of the lady passengers. These details include the birth and seat number.
- All the passengers will be informed about the helpline numbers; the helpline numbers are provided below. They will also be advised to take precautions during the journey like taking care of the luggage, buying food from the IRCTC stores etc.
- RPF Security Helpline Number 182 and GRP Security Helpline Number 1512 are two helpline numbers given by the Indian railways in any emergency.
“The ministry felt that people involved in human trafficking might try to indulge in criminal practices like the trafficking of women and children. These people take advantage of the festive season as there is a lot of rush at that time. To avoid these illegal practices during the upcoming festive season, it was decided to review the security. Plans should be initiated to identify these traffickers,” the Railway Ministry said.
“The team formed of women sub-inspectors interact with women passengers in the train at the base station, informing them about the precautions taken, providing emergency numbers” IG-cum-Principal Chief Security Commissioner, SER, D B Kasar said. The team of sub-inspectors collect the seat numbers and contacts of the women passengers and remain in touch with them in their entire journey, the spokesman said in a statement.
The initiative “Meri Saheli” was initially commenced as a pilot project in the South Eastern Railways in September 2020. After getting tremendous response from women passengers, now it is decided to extend it to all the zones and KRCL w.e.f. October 17, 2020.
The Central Railway launched “Meri Saheli ” programme in 24 special trains which include trains like Mumbai-Nagpur-Mumbai Duronto Express, Godan Express, Gondia-Mumbai Special, Mumbai-Howrah Express, Pune-Patna Special and other trains.
Indian railways have always been very particular about the safety of passengers. “Meri Saheli” is part of one of the significant initiatives started by the railway department for the safety and security of women passengers.
