From now, women commandos to be deployed on trains

Indian Railways will deploy women security personnel and increase their number in the proposed commando battalions, said by the Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Friday.

Indian Railways will deploy women security personnel and increase their number in the proposed commando battalions, said by the Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said in the railways budget presented in parliament on Friday.

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The women Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel will be deployed to ensure security of women passengers, particularly on routes where a large number of them travel alone regularly, Banerjee said while presenting the budget.

Though law and order is a state subject, she said her ministry would work with all agencies concerned to ensure safe journey for the passengers.

"Law and order is a state subject, but whatever we can do, we will," Banerjee said later at a press conference.

The railways ministry will also install anti-collision device for another 1,700 km in two years. This device prevents train collisions and is already operational over 1,736 kms.

The minister said the mechanism for cost-sharing for construction of road overbridges and underpasses by the railways and the state governments needed to be reviewed.

She also said funding would be provided for turnkey execution of these projects.