SPEAK UP: Women's safety on Mumbai local in peril

Following a series of flashing and molestation incidents on the Central and Western Railway premises, the Government Railway Police (GRP) has increased vigilance on railway platforms and on board the trains.

Most of the recent incidents that made news took place in broad daylight, and this has raised questions on the safety of women in the city, and the implementation of the Women Safety Drive initiated by the GRP. Issues such as non-functioning helpline numbers or delayed response from railway officials has also been raised by commuters.

Concerns have also been raised by the State Women's Commission, who in their latest report to the State government revealed that government agencies spring into action to nab offenders only after public outrage. Several such cases go unnoticed when not reported, the report said. The commission raised these concerns following a rise in cases of molestation and rape in the state at large.

As the recent cases sparked renewed concerns on women's safety in Mumbai, DNA spoke to citizens, and asked women if still felt safe travelling on railway trains in Mumbai.

RAILWAY CASE FILES

• July 10: Woman travelling in the ladies compartment from Borivli to Dadar was flashed at and threatened of rape by a youth travelling in the adjacent handicap compartment
   
• July 12: A man flashed at a 22-year-old woman working at a child rights NGO at the CST premises
   
• July 15: Teen molests woman on a platform at Churchgate railway station

CITIZENS SPEAK

Though local trains are a faster option, they can be quite unsafe. If the ladies compartment is relatively empty, drug addicts and perverts tend to board the compartment and harass women. Steps need to be taken by the railway ministry to ensure women's safety by fixing emergency alarms and securing railway station entrances from non bonafide passengers. Handing security over to a private agency may be a better option.
— Aparna Vhatkar, commutes on Mumbai local daily from Andheri to Churchgate

It is shameful that women are becoming victims of such perverts, and that too, on public transport in a city like Mumbai. Authorities need to take stringent action against such perverts and also take necessary precautions for the safety of women.
— Kailash Babubhai Patel, Borivli resident

There is a need to increase security on local trains to prevent flashing incidents. Rise in such incidents shows that railways is going soft on the issue. Co-passengers also need to stay vigilant of anti-social elements.
— Akalakh Khan, Andheri resident

I feel quite safe travelling at night as there's a policeman deployed in the ladies compartment. But during the day there have been instances of young men from the slums passing lewd comments at women standing near the door. Slum dwellers living along railway lines need to be sensitised.
— Darshana Pinto, College Student, Chembur resident

I often travel by train post 9 pm and have seen an improvement in safety since the installation of CCTV cameras and posting of a police personnel in the ladies compartment. But it is important to ensure that cameras are installed in all trains and that they remain in working condition. Officials also need to ensure that instant help is available when commuters call the helpline
— Saniya Gabhare, Architect, Borivli resident

Police presence needs to be felt during less crowded hours. Many a times, we do not see railway police at stations, and lighting at some spots can be poor. The security needs to be upgraded and manning of platforms must be done. Also, action taken against perverts who flash or molest women should be publicised so that it can deter others.
— Vera Alvares, Bandra resident

EXPERT SPEAK

Incidents of molestation and flashing have increased. Security agencies must ensure that women travelling on local and outstation trains feel safe. Rise in such incidents questions the capability of the police force. It's a woman's right to feel secure when she step out of her residence. The onus is on the police in Maharashtra, and they must be prompt when responding to such untoward incidents. Mumbai local is the city's lifeline, and such incidents create panic and insecurity among women, which is shameful.
— Dr Vijaya Rahatkar, Chairperson, Maharashtra State Women's Commission

Overall, cases of molestation on Railway premises have come down. Such incidents are unacceptable and addressing the issue is a priority. We have cracked 99 per cent of such cases, arresting and chargesheeting offenders involved in flashing and molesting women on railway premises. Posting of night guards in the ladies compartment has brought down incidents of molestation at night. The GRP helpline number is also accessible to commuters seeking help.
— Niket Kaushik, Commissioner of Government Railway Police