A team of 25 Railway Protection Force (RPF) members actively participated in the Delhi Half Marathon 2023, dedicated to promoting safe and secure travel for women on trains. The primary aim was to raise public awareness about various initiatives, particularly focusing on the “Meri Saheli” initiative, aimed at enhancing women’s safety and security on the extensive Indian Railways network. As a crucial part of India’s development vision, ensuring women’s safety in public spaces, especially in the primary mode of public transport—railways—remains pivotal for the nation’s holistic development.
The RPF, operating under the Ministry of Railways, has been actively working to elevate the safety of women railway passengers. The “Meri Saheli” teams, operating across the vast railway network, provide assistance and security to numerous women traveling alone on long-distance trains. Women personnel from the RPF work alongside their male counterparts to ensure the safety of women on trains and within railway premises.
In 2023, RPF personnel have demonstrated remarkable performance by rescuing 862 women from perilous situations near moving trains. Under “Operation Nanhe Farishte,” they have also rescued 2,898 unaccompanied girls who were at risk in stations and trains, preventing them from falling into harm’s way. Additionally, they have saved 51 minor girls and 6 women from the clutches of human traffickers.
RPF women personnel have assisted in the delivery of 130 mothers who went into labor during train journeys, prioritizing their privacy and dignity. Responding to over 185,000 helpline calls, RPF personnel have acted swiftly to resolve passengers’ issues, particularly those affecting women in distress, such as the destitute, the unwell, the elderly, and the specially-abled.
To raise public awareness and garner cooperation, the RPF team actively participated in the Delhi Half Marathon on October 15, 2023, going the extra mile for this noble cause. The 25-member strong team, representing various parts of India and different ranks, including the Director General to Constables, showcased the pan-Indian character of the RPF. The team included four women RPF personnel from Punjab, West Bengal, and Maharashtra, serving as representatives of RPF Narishakti. Along the marathon route, RPF personnel engaged with the public, displayed banners, and distributed pamphlets, emphasizing women’s safety on railways and seeking support from all stakeholders to strengthen this cause.