Move Delhi Metro women coach to the middle: Maneka Gandhi

New Delhi, Dec 28: Expressing concern over increasing crowd in Delhi Metro, Union minister Maneka Gandhi today suggested relocating the reserved coach for women from the extreme end to the middle of the train.

The Women and Child Development Minister also said that she would write to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief in this regard.

The Delhi Metro, as per the existing rules, keeps one coach, either the first or the last one, reserved only for women passengers during transit.

"Metro trains are getting too crowded day by day so that it becomes very difficult for a woman commuter to walk till the first coach to get into the reserved compartment. It should either be in the middle or at both ends of the train. We will write a letter to the DMRC chief requesting the same," Gandhi told reporters here.

She said the ministry will request to DMRC to provide one reserved coach at both the ends of the trains, if possible.

"There should be one at the rear and one at the front, if possible, otherwise it should be placed in the middle of the trains so that it makes easier for women to board it," she said.

Over 3,000 male passengers have been apprehended and fined this year for illegally travelling in Delhi Metro coaches reserved for women, as per the DMRC data.

The Delhi Metro network has more than 150 stations running across Delhi and adjoining areas of Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Faridabad.

PTI