Panic buttons for women in distress on trains soon

GORAKHPUR: To strengthen the security of women onboard trains, railways are mulling over introducing safety panic buttons in coaches.

“The move is aimed at infusing greater sense of security among women passengers who often faces harassment while travelling with male commuters, especially during rush, but fail to get timely help,” said Sanjay Yadav, chief public relation officer, North Eastern Railways (NER).

Compared to existing security features such as railway’s helpline number and police team escorting passengers to destinations, the panic button will be more swift in sending alerts to security personnel by sounding blaring alarm and subsequently alerting the control room, driver and the escort team.

The alert will have details of coach and seat from where the button has been pressed.

“Such panic buttons will be fitted in all the coaches so that women in need can press them in adverse situation and security personnel reach out to them for immediate help,” said Yadav.

For easy reach, the panic button will be fitted above electric switches between berths of each coach. “It is a welcome step. Panic buttons will make it very easy for women commuters to report incidents of harassment,” said Puja, a bank official posted in Gorakhpur.

PINK WOMEN COACHES ALSO ON CARDS

As part of its plan to strengthen security for women passenger, railways are also planning to introduce pink coaches exclusively for women. Sanjay Yadav, CPRO, NER, said the women coaches will be painted in pink colour and will be set in middle of train for better security of women.