The all India security helpline number of 182 has sadly become a timepass for many. The Railway Protection Force (RPF), whose staff dedicate their time for ensuring immediate response to women in need of help, are inundated with flimsy and fake calls. This has come forth from a written reply given to railway passenger associations on July 25 after their meeting with Central Railway authorities earlier this month.
According to figures collated by the CR authorities, between January to June this year, the 182 helpline received 31,614 calls. Of these, there were only 14,424 genuine calls which are around 45%. Surprisingly the rest 55% were unwanted calls made on flimsy grounds.
"People should understand that this 182 helpline number is for a purpose. If a caller calls for no reason then unnecessarily it will keep a line busy," said a senior RPF officer on condition of anonymity.
Sources in the CR said that there were calls which apparently were made by men who simply called to listen to the voice of a woman on the other end. The other reasons included asking train timings, informing about lost items, there are issues with gas and telephone connection, complaining about delays in trains, fans inside coaches not working etc.
There are six lines to this 182 helpline number and people also complain that many a time they do not get through the number as it is busy and constantly engaged. "The railway police should take action against such callers. It is wrong that people misuse this number," said Lata Argade, vice-president, Mumbai Railway Pravasi Sangh.
Meanwhile, the Central Railway has started a drive called 'My Left is My Right – Please Keep Left' campaign aiming to educate railway passengers. It will help in avoiding stampede due to overcrowding, walk with ease, prevent pickpocketing etc. This also includes promoting proper use of their helpline number 182 for security-related assistance to passengers in distress. One of the major purposes of this helpline number is to help women commuters.
