Out of about 63,000 service personnel in Railways, only 9.36% i.e. 5900 women security personnel are deployed

There is a huge shortage of women security personnel in the Indian Railways. This shortage of women security personnel is raising serious questions on the safety of women traveling in trains. In this regard, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh asked many questions to the Ministry of Railways, to which the Ministry has responded.

According to the reply received from the Railways Ministry, only 700 women security personnel are deployed under the ‘Meri Saheli’ scheme for the security of 66 lakh women traveling daily in reserved coaches of trains. Whereas about 63,000 service personnel are deployed in the Railways and only 9.36% i.e. 5900 women security personnel are deployed in it.

During the monsoon session of Parliament, the Ministry of Railways responded on 25 July 2024 to an important question raised by AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh regarding the safety of women passengers in Indian Railways.

As per the response of the Central Government, it has come to light that about 66 lakh women travel in reserved coaches in Indian Railways every day. Only 700 women security personnel are deployed for their security. The government said in its reply that under the scheme ‘Meri Saheli’, only 700 women security personnel were deployed for 66 lakh women passengers, which is a very worrying figure in itself.

On the question of AAP MP Sanjay Singh regarding vacancies in Railway Protection Force, the government informed that at present about 4,660 posts are vacant. On the question asked regarding the participation of women security personnel in security, the government informed that out of about 63,000 service personnel, only 9.36% are women security personnel. That is, the number of women security personnel is only 5900, while more than 66 lakh women travel daily in the Railways.

Due to the huge shortage of women RPF personnel, a serious question mark is raised on the safety of women traveling in the Indian Railways. This shortage can put women passengers in many kinds of risks.