Flying squad to guard metro ladies’ coaches

After trying a slew of measures to prevent male commuters from entering Metro ladies' coaches, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has now enlisted the services of special flying squads.

After trying a slew of measures to prevent male commuters from entering Metro ladies' coaches, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has now enlisted the services of special flying squads.

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Despite strict orders to the contrary, male passengers have been found to enter ladies' coaches with regularity and total disregard for authority.

On Monday, DMRC appointed special flying squads to restrict men from entering these reserved coaches. Dressed in black, 18 personnel — including 12 male and six female guards — from a private agency will form six flying squads each, consisting two men and one woman.

They would be accompanied by DMRC staff, at times. "We have named them ‘customer facilitation agents’. They will guard Metro ladies’ coaches at crowded stations and corridors," said a DMRC spokesperson.

"At present, the squad will be covering the stretch between Rajiv Chowk and Kashmere Gate," the spokesperson added.

The latest incident of male commuters boarding reserved coaches took place on Tuesday.

"Women are extremely vulnerable in reserved coaches of the Metro. Despite our constant vigil, such incidents take place regularly," said BS Gurjar, ADCP (Railways). “In the last three months, we received 1,000 reports of men travelling in ladies' coaches. We slapped the offenders with a fine of Rs 250 each and collected over Rs 3 lakh."