Mumbai Railways To Enhance Safety: QR Codes To Be Introduced In Women’s Compartment
Mumbai, 30th July 2023: In a bid to ensure safer night journeys for women passengers, the Railway Police in Mumbai is planning to implement QR codes in the women’s compartments of local trains. These QR codes will allow women to check whether a police presence is available in the compartment before boarding. The move comes after recent incidents of molestation in running local trains, raising concerns about women’s safety during nighttime travel.
Legislative Council Deputy Speaker, Neelam Gorhe, called an urgent meeting to address women’s safety concerns in local trains. The proposal for QR codes received approval during the meeting, with plans to conduct a trial run before implementing the codes in all women’s coaches.
The Advantages of QR Codes:
Enhanced Safety: QR codes will be placed in each women’s compartment, enabling passengers to quickly verify the presence of a police officer.
Contact Information: The QR codes will provide access to photographs and contact details of male and female officers on duty.
Alternative Options: In the absence of police presence, women can decide to travel in the men’s compartment, making informed decisions about their journey.
Presently, the Railway Police faces a shortage of manpower, making it crucial to address this issue before introducing the QR codes. With around 3500 GRP policemen responsible for the safety of over 85 lakh daily passengers, the force needs additional support.
To address this shortage, the Railway Police has demanded 1500 home guards, especially for women’s coaches in night local trains. Once adequate manpower is available, the QR codes can be successfully implemented, significantly improving women’s safety during night travel.
Vidya Sarmalkar, a member of the Railway Vigilance Committee, expressed satisfaction with the positive response from the Railway Police for the QR code proposal. The implementation of QR codes will undoubtedly be a milestone in ensuring safer journeys for women passengers on Mumbai’s local trains.
