Safer trains for women?

Image courtesy: BCCL

The railway budget is out. Mamata Banerjee has claimed that she wants to improve passenger amenities, increase coordination with state governments to protect railway property, set up more multi-functional hospitals and more. But what really caught our attention was the promise of increased security for women passengers travelling by trains!

The issue of protection of women train commuters has always been just that - "an issue". Who can forget the incident that took place in 2004 where a 30-year-old housewife and mother in West Bengal was raped by none other that a railway protection constable? The case clearly proved that sometimes law enforcers are the ones who break the law themselves. Thereafter, the cases only increased.

Last year (19 July to be exact), a 35-year-old man raped a 21-year-old on a foot-over-bridge at Ghatkopar station in Mumbai.

Every year we raise our voices about these issues and they are silenced with the promise of change. The question is will this year bring in change? We asked some iDiva regulars what they think of Mamata Banerjee's promise. Here's what they had to say…

"No, I don't think any such thing is going to happen. There's nothing much that can be done in the Mumbai railway system. Stations like Malad and Mira Road are packed every morning. Even if police officials are deployed, theft, eve teasing and other such things cannot be stopped due to the maddening crowd. Unless there is a complete change in the way the railways function, it won’t be safer for women, no matter how many claims are made!"
- Monica Pereira, 20, Student

"The government always resorts to the policy of more talk and less action. This claim given by them has been going on for years on end. The police force is an extremely efficient one but they only need to be led properly. If the government works towards sincerely increasing the security, then protecting women is not such a difficult job. But if they continue to remain as laid back as they have been so far, nothing much will change."
- Vinita Sharma, 52, Client Servicing executive

"Ever since the terror attacks have taken place, the security at railway stations has more or less increased. At least the police officers are visible now. I don't know how this claim will be materialise, but I do feel relatively safer at the stations today."
- Tania Marwah, 23, Dancer

"Mamata Banerjee makes promises every year and they only remain words. They are never acted upon. Several promises made last year weren't lived up to. This promise, like any of the previous years' promises, seems empty. I don't think this statement will make me feel safer at the stations."
- Neha Borkar, 20, Journalist

"Recently a 23-year-old woman travelling from Kalyan to CST in Mumbai was attacked by a drunkard who abused her when she was simply asking him to move aside. She was almost molested. A promise of such sort has been made every year but such incidences have only increased. So I don't think this year seems to have brought any new hope."
- Mahi Churiwala, 31, Teacher

"I regularly travel by train and even today I think the lecherous looks and ogling have increased. Men try to get their hands on us whenever possible. And all this happens in front of those sitting in khaki uniforms. The behaviour of the government in such situations is indifferent. They are laid back because these issues don't seem important enough for them to tackle. Unless some huge step is taken by the people, I doubt the concept of women's protection at the railway stations will be understood."
- Aparna Rupela, 24, MBBS student