WR celebrates as ladies special service turns 25

Trains were decorated, TCS gave flowers to mark silver jubilee

The ladies special train — a dedicated service for Mumbai’s women and first-of-itskind in the world — completed 25 years of service on Friday.

The Western Railway (WR) commemorated the day by decorating ladies special trains and distributing flowers among women commuters.

The service was introduced on May 5, 1992 and the first-ever ladies special train ran between Churchgate and Borivli .

“The service was extended to Virar in 1993 and has been running regularly since,” said Ravinder Bhakar, chief spokesperson, WR.

He added, “Over the years, the service has helped women commuters travel comfortably during peak hours.”

Following in WR’S footsteps, the Central Railway (CR) launched a similar service between CST and Kalyan on July 1, 1992.

Currently, 14 ladies special services — eight on the WR and six on the CR — ply on the Mumbai suburban railway network.

The WR runs four such services from Borivli, Bhayandar, Vasai and Virar stations in the morning.

The remaining four leave from Churchgate in the evening.

On the CR, two services are operated between CST and Kalyan stations, two on the Cstpanvel corridor on the harbour line and the remaining on the Thane-panvel route on the trans-harbour corridor.

Officials said WR is taking steps to improve security for women commuters.

Bhakar said CCTV cameras have been installed in 60 ladies coaches on the WR.

The WR also introduced a talk-back system in all ladies coaches of two local trains — on the occasion of the last Women’s Day — on a trial-basis.

The system will allow women commuters to establish contact with the train’s guards and seek help in case of an emergency.