**Executive Summary**
This document addresses a parliamentary question regarding violence and attacks against women passengers in trains and railway premises, specifically in Kerala, and the government's response. It details the measures taken to strengthen passenger security, including increased surveillance, deployment of security personnel, and coordination between Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP). The document includes an incident report from November 2, 2025 and highlights the date the answer to the question will be provided to the Lok Sabha as December 3, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **State Responsibility:**
* Police and Public Order are state subjects, making state governments responsible for the prevention, detection, registration, and investigation of crime on railways.
* **Incident Report (November 2, 2025):**
* A woman was forcibly pushed from a running train near Varkala railway station by an intoxicated passenger.
* The victim received medical treatment, and the accused was arrested.
* CCTV footage corroborated the incident.
* **Security Measures by Indian Railways (coordinated with GRP in Kerala):**
* Trains are escorted by Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel.
* "Meri Saheli" initiative provides focused attention to the safety and security of women traveling alone on long-distance trains.
* Surveillance via CCTV cameras at stations and in coaches.
* Passengers can report complaints via Rail Madad Portal or Helpline 139 (integrated with Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) No. 112).
* Regular communication with passengers via social media platforms.
* Frequent announcements to educate passengers on safety precautions.
* Zonal railways are instructed to deploy mixed-gender RPF/RPSF personnel in train escort parties.
* Drives against male passengers entering women-reserved compartments, with legal action against offenders.
* State Level Security Committee of Railways (SLSCR) monitors security arrangements.
**Impact Analysis**
**Passengers (Especially Women)**
* **Impact:** Passengers will experience increased security measures and be able to use the mentioned resources to report any concerns.
* **Action Required:** Passengers should utilize available reporting mechanisms (Rail Madad Portal, Helpline 139) and be aware of safety precautions.
**Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP)**
* **Impact:** The RPF and GRP must increase presence on trains and railway premises, especially on vulnerable routes, to enforce security measures.
* **Action Required:** Implement increased patrols, monitor CCTV footage, and respond promptly to passenger reports.
**Zonal Railways**
* **Impact:** Zonal railways are tasked with implementing the enhanced security measures and deploying mixed-gender security personnel.
* **Action Required:** Zonal railways need to ensure adequate staffing of RPF/RPSF personnel and coordinate with GRP to implement the described security measures.
**State Level Security Committee of Railways (SLSCR)**
* **Impact:** The SLSCR, under the chairmanship of the Director General of Police/Commissioner of State, must monitor and review security arrangements on the Railways.
* **Action Required:** Regular monitoring and review of the current security implementations to ensure adequate security.
Key Entities Referenced
Railway Protection Force (RPF): A security force responsible for protecting railway passengers, passenger areas, and railway property.
Government Railway Police (GRP): Law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining law and order on Railways.
Meri Saheli: An initiative focused on the safety and security of women passengers travelling alone on long-distance trains.
Kerala: State where incidents of violence and attacks against women passengers in trains and railway premises have occurred, prompting the current inquiry.
State Level Security Committee of Railways (SLSCR): Committee responsible for regular monitoring and review of security arrangements of the Railways.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 60
TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025
VIOLENCE/ATTACKS ON WOMEN PASSENGERS IN TRAINS AND RAILWAY
PREMISES
*60. SHRI K RADHAKRISHNAN:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the increasing number of
incidents of violence and attacks against women passengers in
trains and railway premises in Kerala, including the recent shocking
case of Varkala train attack reported in the State;
(b) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to strengthen
passenger security, particularly for women, including deployment of
RPF personnel, installation of CCTV cameras, emergency helplines
and women only measures in trains originating from or passing
through Kerala;
(c) whether the Government has assessed the lapses in surveillance,
lighting, station security and train patrol systems leading to such
incidents and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government proposes to provide immediate and
adequate compensation to the affected women and their families and
if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the mechanisms in place to ensure timely relief and accountability
from the Railways in such cases?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 60 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025
(a) to (e): ‘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.
On 02.11.2025, a lady passenger while travelling by sitting on the
footboard of the coach was forcibly pushed out of the running train no.
12626 near Varkala railway station by another passenger apparently to
be under the influence of alcohol. The victim was shifted to Government
Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram and was admitted there
for better treatment. In this incident, GRP/Thiruvananthapuram
registered Crime No. 566/2025 u/s 109 BNS against the accused person,
who was arrested. The incident was further corroborated from the
footage obtained from the CCTV fitted inside the coach. Further, legal
action is being taken by the police against the arrested accused.
Safety of women is accorded the high priority in Indian Railways.
Following steps are being taken by the Railways in coordination with
GRP for safety and security of women passengers in trains and at railway
stations in Kerala:
--2/--2-
1. On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, trains are escorted by
Railway Protection Force in addition to trains escorted by
Government Railway Police personnel daily.
2. Under ‘Meri Saheli’ initiative, focused attention has been provided
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.
3. Surveillance is kept through CCTV cameras provided in a number of
coaches & Railway Stations for enhanced security of passengers.
4. For immediate assistance, passengers can make complaint on Rail
Madad Portal directly or through Helpline Number 139 [integrated
with Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) No.112].
5. Railways are in regular touch with passengers through various
social media platforms like Twitter & Facebook etc. to enhance
security of passengers and to address their security concern.
6. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System
to educate passengers to take precautions against theft, snatching,
drugging etc.
7. Zonal railways have been instructed for deployment of proper
combined strength of male & female RPF/RPSF personnel in train
escort parties to the extent possible.
8. Drives are conducted against entry of male passengers into the
compartment reserved for women and legal action is taken against
the offenders.
9. State Level Security Committee of Railways (SLSCR) have been
constituted under the Chairmanship of Director General of
Police/Commissioner of State for regular monitoring and review of
security arrangements of the Railways.
*****