With a significant rise in the number of working women in the city, former Member of Parliament Gopal Shetty has urged the Railways to prioritize the safety and accessibility of female passengers on Mumbai’s local trains. In a series of letters addressed to various officials, including the former Union Railway Minister and current Mumbai North MP Piyush Goyal in June, September, and October of 2020, Shetty has highlighted the urgent need for dedicated women’s compartments and increased train frequency.
Shetty reiterated his demands in a recent letter dated July 9 to the current Union Railway Minister Ashvini Vaishnav. With the Union Budget set to be presented on July 23, Shetty pressed for immediate action and funding allocations to expand the city's suburban local train services. He emphasized that overcrowding and inadequate facilities have made train travel unsafe for women, despite existing designated services.
"The Railways should take immediate corrective action to increase the number of ladies' trains and compartments for women travellers. By starting more Mumbai local trains for ladies and increasing the frequency of these trains, we can ensure a safer and more comfortable journey for all women commuters," Shetty stated.
The former parliamentarian also mentioned a signature campaign initiated by women commuters, advocating for an increase in the frequency of local trains and compartments specifically for women. He claimed that the campaign highlights the urgency and widespread support for this issue, reflecting the daily challenges faced by female passengers.
Shetty's appeal underscores the critical role of Mumbai's local trains, which serve as a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of daily commuters. However, the current state of overcrowding and lack of adequate safety measures disproportionately affects women, making urgent improvements essential.
In his letter, Shetty requested the Railway Minister to address this matter and announce relevant measures before the upcoming budget speech. He stressed that allocating funds to this cause would be a significant step towards enhancing the safety and convenience of female commuters, thereby fostering a more inclusive and secure public transport environment.
