Mobility is not merely about the movement of people; it is a tool for empowerment, an enabler of rights, and a precursor to socio-economic development. In India, where Indian Railways transports over 23 million passengers daily, mobility represents access to opportunities-education, employment, healthcare, and community participation. For millions of women who rely on this vast network, safe mobility is a fundamental right and an instrument of empowerment.
Mobility amplifies women’s participation in economic activities, thus contributing to GDP growth. As McKinsey Global Institute highlights, closing the gender gap in India’s labor force could add $770 billion to GDP by 2025. Indian Railways and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) have emerged as pivotal players in this transformation, crafting initiatives that prioritize safety while fostering inclusion and empowerment.
Passenger-Centric Initiatives
- Operation Meri Saheli: At the forefront of the RPF’s efforts is Operation Meri Saheli, a holistic initiative launched in 2020 to ensure the safety of women passengers, particularly those traveling alone, with children, or as caregivers. 249 dedicated My Saheli Teams are attending around 500 trains everyday nationally and these Female RPF personnel interact with around 13000 women passengers per day, from the start of their journey till the end, maintain contact during the journey, and ensure their safe deboarding at the destination.
By fostering trust and providing support, continuous Operation Meri Saheli has transformed the travel experience for countless women, reducing their psychological burden and enhancing their confidence.
- Specialized Women Security Teams: Beyond passenger-centric initiatives, the RPF has established specialized women-led security teams across zones. For example, in South Central Railway, Shakti Teams, Durga Vahini Teams in North Western Railway, patrol platforms, trains, and high-risk areas, responding swiftly to incidents and fostering a visible sense of safety amongst women passengers.
- Operation Matrishakti: RPF female personnel, go beyond their call of duty to assist pregnant women who go into labour during their train journeys. In the year 2024 alone, female personnel of RPF assisted in 174 childbirths, in trains & Railway areas.
- Operation Nanhe Farishtey: An intensive drive to rescue children in need of care and protection found in contact with railways has been launched. During the year 2024, 4528 girl children were rescued by RPF, under this operation.
- Operation Dignity: RPF personnel also play a crucial role in rescuing adults, including women, in need of care and protection. These individuals may be runaways, abandoned, drug addicts, destitute, or needing medical assistance. In 2024, approximately 1607 such women/girls were rescued.
- Mission Jeevan Raksha: RPF personnel played a crucial role in rescuing lives of women/girls, in the year 2024 total 1043 women/girls lives saved from the jaws of death, under this mission.
Mixed Escort RPF escorts around 1800 trains daily which includes mixed escort teams, where female RPF personnel accompany male colleagues to ensure the safety of passengers during train journeys. These mixed escort teams are deployed on long-distance and high- density trains, creating a visible deterrent to crime while fostering a sense of security among passengers, particularly women.
The inclusion of female personnel in escort duties enhances operational effectiveness and boosts passenger confidence, demonstrating the RPF’s commitment to creating a gender-sensitive security environment.
As part of Mission Mahila Suraksha, in 2024, around one lakh males travelling in compartments reserved for women were prosecuted under Railway Act RPF, to ensure better sense of security amongst women passengers.
Operation AAHT: Combatting Human Trafficking
Human trafficking, a grave violation of human rights, disproportionately affects women and children. Indian Railways, due to its vast network, often becomes a transit point for traffickers. To address this, the RPF launched Operation AAHT (Action Against Human Trafficking), targeting trafficking networks and rescuing victims. In 2023 alone, the RPF rescued more than hundred females and dismantled numerous trafficking operations.
Internal Empowerment: Women in Leadership Roles
The RPF’s commitment to women’s empowerment extends beyond passenger security. With women constituting 9% of its personnel, the RPF boasts the highest female representation among India’s armed forces.
This inclusion is not symbolic; women hold critical leadership roles that influence policy and operations. Leadership by Women Officers like Ms. Sarika Mohan at Policy Making levels in the Railway Board, Ms Aroma Singh Thakur is heading the Security department of the second biggest zonal railway, Ms Ruchira Chatterjee is GM RCIL, Ms Renu Chibber is GGM DFFCCIL.
All these exemplify the importance of integration of empathy-driven leadership in crafting effective solutions for women. As many as four Key divisions of Indian Railways are being led by Women Sr Divisional Security commissioners and 47 RPF Thanas over Indian Railways are manned by RPF Lady Inspectors. Besides these, some railway stations and RPF posts over Indian Railways are entirely operated by women personnel.
Complementing these efforts are women Director Generals and Superintendents of Police in the Government Railway Police (GRP), who work in tandem with the RPF to ensure comprehensive passenger security.
Other notable efforts are progressive maternity and Child Care leave policies, which ensure that women can balance personal and professional responsibilities without compromising their career trajectories, spouse collocation policies, enabling married personnel to be posted in the same region, all women’s barracks have been established, along with facilities like changing rooms and separate toilets in all RPF Thanas and outposts across the country, ensuring dignity and privacy.
Recognizing the dual roles women often play as caregivers and professionals, the RPF has introduced creche facilities and feeding rooms at key locations.
The Vision Ahead
Al-driven surveillance systems with facial recognition and behavioural analytics aimed at real-time monitoring and intervention, mobile safety applications offering live tracking, direct communication with RPF personnel, and instant alerts, etc will empower passengers with immediate access to assistance. By adopting technology, RPF aims to create a smarter, safer, and more inclusive mobility ecosystem.
Conclusion
In an era where safety and empowerment are increasingly recognized as cornerstones of development, the RPF stands as a testament to the transformative power of vision, empathy, and action. It is not merely about moving passengers; it is about moving a nation toward dignity, equality, and progress. The journey toward a safer and more inclusive future is not just a destination-it is a legacy in the making.
(The Author is IG-cum-PCSC South Central Railway& Officers of SCR)
