By Indian Railways

Copyright thehindu

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of South Western Railway (SWR) has reached out to more than two lakh women passengers this year as part of ‘Operation Meri Saheli’, a dedicated initiative to ensure the safety and comfort of women travelling alone.

Launched in November 2020 by Indian Railways, the initiative focuses on providing assistance from the time of boarding until the completion of the journey.

According to Chief Public Relations Officer of SWR, Manjunath Kanamadi, RPF teams interacted with 2,08,869 women passengers across 4,869 trains this year, ensuring safer and more secure travel.

At present, 250 Meri Saheli teams, consisting exclusively of women RPF personnel, are deployed across the railway network, covering around 500 trains daily and assisting nearly 13,000 solo women travellers. “In SWR alone, 10 dedicated teams comprising 25 personnel are actively engaged in the project,” Mr. Kanamadi added.

Passenger reassurance

An official from the Meri Saheli team said, “We assist women passengers right from safe boarding and alighting to offering support throughout the journey. Many women, especially first-time travellers or those travelling with children, feel vulnerable while navigating crowded stations or long-distance journeys. Our role is to reassure them, provide information about their route, guide them during ticket checks or inquiries, and, most importantly, respond quickly in case of any emergency. Even a simple interaction often makes passengers feel more secure and cared for during their travel.”

Another RPF official said that the initiative has significantly improved confidence among women passengers. “Earlier, many women travelling alone expressed concerns about safety on long-distance routes. Now, with ‘Operation Meri Saheli’, passengers know there is a dedicated team monitoring their well-being. We share details of single women passengers with the headquarters and intermediate stations, which helps us track their progress and provide support at multiple points. This continuity reassures passengers that they are not alone, and it builds trust in the railway system,” the official added.

According to officials, feedback forms are collected at the end of journeys to assess the effectiveness of the initiative and to identify areas for improvement. The SWR officials said the responses have been overwhelmingly positive, with women passengers highlighting the sense of safety and confidence the programme has brought to their travel experience.

“’Operation Meri Saheli’ has emerged as one of the most successful women-centric safety initiatives of Indian Railways. Through proactive engagement, timely guidance, and the dedicated presence of our women RPF personnel, we have been able to create a secure and supportive environment. This initiative is not just about safety, but also about instilling confidence in women travellers,” said Mr. Kanamadi.