**Executive Summary**
This document responds to an unstarred question raised in the Lok Sabha regarding the 'Meri Saheli' initiative in the Northern Railway Zone, specifically addressing women passenger safety. The response details the roles of State Governments and Railway Protection Force (RPF) in maintaining law and order on railways. The document also addresses specific queries related to harassment cases, female constables escorting trains, CCTV installation, and panic button installations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Responsibility for Law and Order:**
* 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects, placing responsibility for prevention, detection, registration, and investigation of crime on State Governments through Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police.
* The Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of the GRP/District Police.
* The State-wise details of cases of crimes against women passengers over Indian railways are published by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in 'Crime in India'.
* **'Meri Saheli' Initiative:**
* The 'Meri Saheli' initiative focuses on the safety and security of women traveling alone on long-distance trains.
* 32 'Meri Saheli' teams are deployed at important railway stations over Northern Railway to brief women about security measures.
* RPF posts en route are informed about solo female passengers and are kept on high alert.
* 10 trains are escorted in vulnerable sections by women RPF and GRP personnel over Northern Railway.
* **CCTV Camera Installation:**
* CCTV cameras have been installed in 130 ladies coaches of suburban (MEMU/DEMU) trains operating in Northern and North Eastern Railway.
* Instructions have been issued to Zonal Railways and Production Units to install CCTV cameras in all coaches.
* **Emergency Features in Vande Bharat Trains:**
* There is a provision of 4 Emergency Talk Back Units in every coach of Vande Bharat trains.
* Passenger Emergency Alarm Buttons have been provided in the Vande Bharat Train. Each coach has been provisioned with 4 such push buttons for emergency usage.
**Impact Analysis**
* **State Governments:**
* **Impact:** Responsible for maintaining law and order on railways through GRP/District Police.
* **Action Required:** Continue prevention, detection, registration, and investigation of crime.
* **Railway Protection Force (RPF):**
* **Impact:** Supplements the efforts of GRP/District Police in providing protection and security.
* **Action Required:** Continue support of GRP/District Police, maintain Meri Saheli Initiative.
* **Zonal Railways and Production Units:**
* **Impact:** Responsible for upgrading rolling stock and installing CCTV cameras.
* **Action Required:** Installation of CCTV cameras in all coaches.
* **Passengers (Especially Women):**
* **Impact:** Enhanced safety and security measures on trains, especially for women traveling alone.
* **Action Required:** Utilize available security channels and report incidents.
Key Entities Referenced
Meri Saheli: An initiative focused on the safety and security of women passengers travelling alone on long-distance trains.
Railway Protection Force (RPF): A security force responsible for protecting railway property, passenger areas, and passengers.
Government Railway Police (GRP): A state law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining law and order on railways.
Northern Railway: A railway zone where the 'Meri Saheli' initiative is implemented, and various security measures are being taken.
Constitution of India, Seventh Schedule: The schedule that designates 'Police' and 'Public Order' as state subjects.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2847
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025
‘MERI SAHELI’ INITIATIVE IN NORTHERN RAILWAY ZONE
2847. ADV PRIYA SAROJ:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of cases of harassment and theft reported by
women passengers on trains running through Uttar Pradesh during
the last three years;
(b) the number of trains in the Northern Railway zone that are currently
escorted by RPF/GRP female constables under the 'Meri Saheli'
initiative;
(c) the status of CCTV camera installation in the ladies' coaches of
suburban and passenger trains operating in the Varanasi-Lucknow
sector; and
(d) whether there is any proposal to install panic buttons in General
and Sleeper coaches and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d): ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects under the Seventh
Schedule to the Constitution of India and therefore, State Governments
are responsible for prevention, detection, registration, and investigation
of crime and maintenance of law and order on Railways through their law
enforcement agencies viz. Government Railway Police (GRP)/District
Police. Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of GRP/
District Police to provide better protection and security to railway
property, passenger area and passengers and for matters connected
therewith.The State-wise details of cases of crimes against women passengers over
Indian railways are published by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
in ‘Crime in India’.
‘Meri Saheli’ initiative is undertaken for focused attention for safety and
security of woman passengers travelling alone by long distance trains for
their entire journey i.e. from originating station to destination station.
Presently, 32 ‘Meri Saheli’ teams have been deployed at important railway
stations over Northern Railway. These teams brief the woman passengers
travelling alone about the security measures to be adopted during the
journey and the details of the channels available for seeking the help in
distress. The RPF posts falling enroute are also informed well in advance
about the movement of lady passengers travelling alone and are kept on
high alert to respond to any situation without any loss of time. Also, 10
trains are escorted in vulnerable section by women RPF and GRP
personnel over Northern Railway. The CCTV cameras have been installed
in 130 ladies coaches of suburban (MEMU/DEMU) trains operating
inNorthern and North Eastern Railway. Further, instruction have been
issued to Zonal Railways and Production Units to install CCTV cameras in
coaches to strengthen passenger security.
Improvement / up-gradation of Rolling Stock to enhance safety and
comfort of passengers is a continuous and ongoing process on Indian
Railways.
There is a provision of 4 Emergency Talk Back Units in every coach of
Vande Bharat trains. This facilitates communications of passengers with
Train Manager / Loco-pilots in case of exigencies. Passenger Emergency
Alarm Buttons have been provided in the Vande Bharat Train. Each coach
has been provisioned with 4 such push buttons for emergency usage.
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