Kerala High Court Directs Railways To Periodically Review Measures Undertaken For Enhancing Safety Of Passengers

The Kerala High Court recently directed the Indian Railways to periodically review the steps undertaken by it, to ensure the safety of passengers, especially women, on trains and in railway stations. A division bench of Justice S Manikumar and Justice Murali Purushothaman passed the order while considering a public interest litigation for improving the safety of railway passengers. The suo moto proceeding was initiated in 2021 when Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas had highlighted the need to look into the safety of railway passengers in the wake of an incident that took place on 28.04.2021 where a female passenger fell off a moving train and suffered head injuries, when an assailant attacked her. In a statement submitted by the Railways before the court, several measures already taken to prevent criminal activity in trains and stations were listed out, which include: "a) RPF (Railway Protection Force) escort is provided in selected Mail/Express/Passenger Trains between 6 pm and 6 am according to its vulnerability to ensure safety and security of passengers. Officers in the rank of Inspector, Sub-Inspector and Assistant Sub- Inspectors are deputed for performing train escort b) Special Squad consisting women RPF staff are formed time to time under the supervision of women Sub-Inspector and they are utilized for train escort duty between 6 pm and 6 am in vulnerable passenger trains for ensuring safety and security of women passengers c) "MERI SAHELI", an initiative to provide end to end safety and security of women has been introduced focusing women passengers travelling alone d) An effective Crime Prevention and Detection Squad (CPDS) is functioning round the clock covering trains and important railway stations in order to prevent/detect crime against passengers, especially women passengers and keeps an eye on ladies coaches. This team is under the direct supervision of one Inspector of RPF e) Train escort staff has been instructed to make close watch over the activities of suspected persons/antisocial elements in trains and station premises in order to ensure safety of passengers f) Integrated Security System has been implemented in major stations. CCTV cameras have been installed under "Nirbhaya Scheme” in majority of stations for proper surveillance and to prevent crime against passengers. Steps are taken for Installation of CCTV cameras in rest of the stations as well g) CCTV cameras are fitted in about 178 coaches and fire detection systems are provided in about 362 coaches h) Co-ordination meetings are organized with Government Railway Police, Local Police and other security agencies and state government agencies for exchanging of information and to curb crimes i) Joint combing operation by RPF, Government Railway Police, and other security agencies is being carried out on a regular basis in trains and railway premises to ensure general security j) Extensive passenger awareness programmes are being conducted in trains and railway stations, duly issuing pamphlets to educate rail users against theft, robbery, drugging etc k) All India Railway Helpline No.139 is functional on pan India basis for the use of passengers in need of any assistance while on travel l) Rail Madad, Twitter and CPGRAM online platforms are available for passengers for immediate lodging of complaint and assistance while on travel m) Body worn cameras are being utilized for covering train escort parties and special duties on daily basis."Adv. R. Leela who was appointed as Amicus Curiae to assist the court in the matter suggested some additional measures including abolishing the cut coach system in trains. She explained that in the incident that took place on 28.04.2021, the victim was trapped inside a coach with no passage to access the rest of the train. She also suggested putting up photos of habitual offenders to warn travellers. She suggested that the Railways take steps to prevent hawkers, beggars and travellers without a ticket from entering trains, as such persons often alert habitual offenders. The State Police Chief also suggested measures to enhance passenger safety, some of which include: a) Placing the Ladies Compartments next to the Guard Room in trainsd) Replacing all cut-coaches which deny the passengers their free movement from one compartment to another, with vestibule coaches. e) Displaying the contact numbers and names of TTE/ Guard/ Police officers on duty in each train so that passengers can contact them in case of emergency.f) Providing proper lighting in platformsg) Installing intercom telephones in all compartments, enabling passengers to contact the guard in an emergencyi) Properly securing the entry/exit gates in all Railway Stations to avoid any unauthorized entry/ exit The court, while taking the statement of the railways on record, asked it to review the measures taken by it from time to time and also to consider incorporating the suggestions of the Amicus Curiae and the...

Kerala High Court Directs Railways To Periodically Review Measures Undertaken For Enhancing Safety Of Passengers

Sheryl Sebastian

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