The South Central Railway (SCR) is taking special measures to take care of the security needs of women passengers, especially in the MMTS and suburban trains in the twin cities.
In case any woman passenger encounters teasing, harassment or any trouble from anybody in MMTS or suburban trains or on railway premises, they may inform the nearest railway staff or call the railway security helplines for immediate action.
The 24X7 railway security helpline numbers for any security needs of passengers are :040-27833366, 9963161688 (RPF control at zonal HQ); 9701371727, 9701372079 (RPF controls at Secunderabad and Hyderabad divisions) and 9440700040 (GRP).
The security apparatus at stations and trains are being continuously strengthened to ensure passenger security.
SCR chief public relations officer K Sambasiva Rao says 252 RPF personnel and 239 Home Guards have been deployed to ensure the safety of commuters at MMTS stations. Besides, all MMTS trains are escorted by RPF personnel and Home Guards.
A team of 62 securitymen has been deployed for escort duties and, to increase the presence of women in RPF, 10 percent of the vacancies in every recruitment have been reserved for women.
The RPF and GRP staff and officers regularly check suburban trains and conduct surprise inspections at major stations with focus on security of women passengers. Surveillance cameras have been installed at key locations at important stations to watch the movements and activities of suspicious elements.
Awareness programmes and campaigns with the help of NGOs and prominent women activists have been conducted at Moula Ali, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Guntur, Guntakal and Vijayawada this year. These programmes will be continued in the coming months.
In addition, several mass-awareness campaigns are being regularly conducted through media to sensitise the public on the issue of passenger security.