Ensuring Safe Journeys: Palakkad Railway’s “Meri Saheli” Initiative

The Palakkad division of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Kerala has launched a comprehensive initiative called “Meri Saheli” to ensure safe travel for women passengers, especially those traveling alone. This mission involves deploying dedicated women RPF teams at five major stations within the division, including Palakkad, Kannur, Kasaragod, Malappuram, and Kozhikode districts.

Key aspects of the initiative include:

  • Identification and assistance of women traveling alone through direct interaction by specially nominated women RPF personnel. There are currently 64 women RPF staff assigned to this mission, with about 11 women staff attending designated trains daily, interacting with approximately 230 solo women passengers.
  • Women passengers are sensitized about safety precautions and provided with important contact information such as the Rail Madad helpline (139) and digital grievance platforms like Instagram and the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) for immediate assistance in case of distress.
  • Continuous monitoring and support during the journey, including the sharing of women passengers’ travel details (PNR, coach, berth numbers) with officials along their route to ensure they are watched over by RPF personnel at various stations until they safely reach their destination.
  • The initiative also involves enhanced security measures such as “Mixed Train Escorts,” where major night trains are escorted by both male and female RPF personnel equipped with body-worn cameras to maintain transparency and accountability.
  • Stringent enforcement actions are taken with daily joint patrols by RPF and Government Railway Police (GRP) during peak hours and surprise checks in ladies’ coaches to curb antisocial behavior. In 2025 alone, 971 offenders including trespassers, unauthorized passengers in reserved coaches, and men found in ladies’ compartments have been apprehended.
  • Passenger feedback is actively collected to improve the effectiveness of the program.

This initiative has been impactful, benefiting over 37,000 women travelers in 2025 alone and receiving positive public responses. It represents a significant step towards enhancing women’s security in Kerala’s railway network, providing a safer and more secure travel environment with focused support for solo women passengers.

Read more at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/palakkad-division-launches-initiative-to-ensure-safe-travel-for-women-passengers/article69956134.ece

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