24x7 security helpline for train passengers soon

New Delhi, April 7: With a view to strengthen safety of passengers and check crimes against women in trains and stations, Railways will soon launch a 24x7 helpline which will be tracked on real-time basis across the country. The proposed pan India toll-free helpline, first-of-its-kind in Railways, is going to be launched shortly to provide round-the-clock security-related assistance to passengers, a senior Railway Ministry official involved with the project said.

Passengers can use the helpline to report thefts, harassment or any other untoward incident, he said. Railways has sought a three-digit number for the proposed helpline from the Department of Telecommunication and all necessary preparations are being made for providing security assistance to passengers, he said.

The hardware and software for the helpline are being provided by Centre For Railway Information Systems (CRIS). It will be managed by Railway Protection Force. "RPF will provide necessary training to about 250 staff for the call centre job. There will be about 30 RPF personnel deployed at the main control room being set up at Daya Basti in the capital to receive the complaints round-the-clock and take action," the official said.

Networking of all RPF units and other modalities are being worked out to launch the helpline. "All RPF posts, including zonal headquarters, divisions and control room, are being linked with the helpline network," he said. Describing the mechanism, the official said, "After receiving the complaint from the passenger on a moving train, the message will be passed on to the nearest railway station immediately for necessary action."

PTI