Metro on alert to prevent harassment of women passengers, takes steps to curb train stoppages

BENAGLURU: Namma Metro is an important mode of public transport as it helps save travel time, offers faster service, is safe for women, and is a more efficient way to travel in the city. But, of late, sexual harassment cases have been recorded on Metro trains and the authorities are now on alert to prevent harassment of women passengers.

Namma Metro has been in the news these days for many reasons, one of them being , cases of sexual harassment by men passengers increasing. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) has now become alert to the situaton and the officials will take action if women passengers file a harassment case.

Yashavant Chavan, Chief Engineer and Chief Public Relations Officer of BMRCL, said that earlier, there a fine of Rs 500 would be levied on those who exhibited indecent behaviour on the Metro. Now, the BMRCL is imposing a fine of Rs 10,000. It has also requested that women file complaints with the metro station controller if they become victims of harassment. About 50-60 CCTV cameras have been installed in each Metro station and four cameras in each coach of the metro trains, and the movements of each passenger is being recorded, he said.

Also, the BMRCL has requested that passengers not to get down on the Metro tracks if their belongings accidentally fall. “Inform the metro station controller or staff if mobile or any other stuff has fallen on the railway track. The staff will use pick-up rods to retrieve passengers’ belongings during non-peak hours or once Metro operation for the day is completed”, Chavan said.