BENGALURU: After the recent few cases of sexual harassment of women were reported in Metro trains over the last two months, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has taken the issue seriously and initiated steps like monitoring passengers through CCTV cameras in coaches and lodging complaints with the police.
At the same time, there is now a vociferous debate on having another coach exclusively for women passengers.
In the last two months, sexual harassment of three or four women passengers on the Namma Metro has come to light. Though one coach is already reserved for women, yet they are facing such problems, which has become a challenge to the BMRCL now. Commuters are also demanding that Namma Metro authorities take firm action against such acts, which may bring a bad name for Bengaluru and debating about having another exclusive coach in Metro to ensure women’s safety.
The most recent case of sexual harassment of a woman was on New Year’s Day at Majestic Metro station wherein it was alleged that she was inappropriately touched by a man on a packed Metro train.
On December 7 last year, a woman was sexually harassed by a stranger when she was boarding the Metro at Rajajinagar. In another incident on November 30 last year, a woman lodged a complaint against a man alleging sexual harassment at Majestic Metro station. The incident was shared on social media by her friends.
Yashavanth Chavan, Chief Engineer and Chief PRO of BMRCL, said they may consider a second coach exclusively for women on Metro trains. “If there is demand from women passengers, we can think about the possibility. No such proposal has been received as of now, but we can consider it for the purpose of women’s safety”, he said.