Women glad but men grumble over 'ladies only' Metro coach

The pink and white stickers on the platforms read 'Women Only'. However, on Saturday, that didn't stop the men in the city from boarding bogies reserved for women on the Metro. Mallica Joshi reports.

The pink and white stickers on the platforms read 'Women Only'. However, on Saturday, that didn't stop the men in the city from boarding bogies reserved for women on the Metro.

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The biggest problem seemed to be lack of awareness.

A man, who had entered the women's coach at the Malviya Nagar station said sheepishly, "I was not aware of the new plan."

Twenty one-year-old Rahul Dagar said, "I haven't heard about any reservation in the Metro for women."

Though Delhi Metro marshals were present at platforms to ensure that men do not enter the reserved bogies, many men did not pay heed to them.

"Why do we need a women's coach in the Metro? Isn't reservation in buses enough?" asked an irate Rajeev Kanan, 40.

"I don't care if it's only for women. I just need a place to stand," said Raghav Kaul, 25.

But women feel that an all-women bogie is necessary. "When the Metro is packed to capacity, men push women and misbehave on purpose. An all-women bogie will make for a safer ride," said Mamta Dey, a schoolteacher.

"Regular checks will be conducted and hopefully things will fall into place gradually," said a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) spokesperson.