The Indian Railways has been allotted a portion of the Nirbhaya fund to implement a continuing scheme to install CCTV surveillance systems at railway stations, ladies special trains and women compartments in suburban trains.
The state owned transporter was unable to implement the composite security plan that incorporates the job of installing CCTV cameras due to funds crunch. In the last eight years, these systems have been mounted at just 344 of the total of 7,500 railway stations across the nation. But, with new fund of Rs 500 crore now, goals to set these cameras at 983 more stations have been set for the current fiscal.
The Nirbhaya Fund backs the government and the non-government segment initiatives to maintain the dignity and ensure security of women. It was created in 2013 in memory of the 2012 Delhi gang rape victim.
The continuing schemes on women security includes, an app called the Railway Mobile Instant Tracking Response and Assistance (R-MITRA) that has been in operation in the Kolkata-based Eastern Railways. Besides, an all-India helpline number (182) has also been available.
“We are also working at providing RPF women escorts on majority of ladies compartments or trains running on suburban routes”, an official said.
