Title - Travelling in trains to become safer for women

INDORE: With travelling between Indore and Bhopal becoming a tough task for women, the railway police force (RPF) has escalated its drive to nab offenders by regular checking. Special arrangement of female guards in every ladies' coach has been made in meter gauge trains and Intercity Express. Many a cases of misbehaviour and men boarding women-only compartment has come up recently.Vandana Jain, a 30-year-old working professional from Indore, who regularly shuttles between the two cities said, "While returning from Bhopal recently, three males entered women coach of Intercity Express. When asked to stop smoking and change the coach, they abused women sitting inside the coach. The matter was reported to police.""There is a need to create greater awareness on the issue, especially among men. Despite repeated announcements at stations and advertisements in newspapers, many male passengers do not follow rules and travel in ladies' compartments," said another professional Afreen Khan.Public relation officer Pradeep Sharma said, "1,468 men were arrested for travelling in ladies' compartment just that in 2012 while 945 in 2013. All were booked under Section 162 of Railways Act. The fine collected in 2012 was Rs 2,65,250 and Rs 14,8900 in 2013.

The government railway police, Indore, in charge Dilip Gangrade said, "The reason why males board in women coaches is that women hesitate to report even the smallest of problems via helpline number. Once they start doing so it would instil fear into them."

"Three personnel have been deployed at all stations with one women guard, especially next to the ladies' compartments to ensure men do not enter these coaches. Daily, nearly four to five cases are reported where males are found breaking rules. Raids are conducted every fifteen days," said Indore RPF office in charge Mukesh Anandkar.

To curb incidents of crime in trains, Ratlam division has mentioned RPF helpline numbers in all coaches of the Bhopal-Indore-Bhopal Intercity Express.

Passengers can call 9752492709 for help.