Hyderabad: In yet another instance of diminishing safe spaces for women, reserved Metro train coaches are often occupied by men despite extensive signage, in pink and purple, stating ‘ladies only’ and ‘reserved for ladies’.
K. Sonia, who frequently uses the Blue Line (Raidurg-Nagole) of the Metro, said men casually saunter into the women's compartment without any fear of consequence. “I tried alerting Metro staff through the WhatsApp number provided on the stickers in the coach, but to no avail. I received a blue tick but no reply or a follow-up query,” she said.
Srilakshmi A., a telecom executive, said that passengers objecting to men trespassing into these compartments fail to act as a deterrent. “In one instant, a student confronted a young man about the same, but instead, he gave her an earful for ‘wanting equality’ and asked her to ‘sit at home if she thinks men are always lecherous’,” she said.
Abipsa M., a student who uses the Red Line of the Metro occasionally, said that staff conduct checks only at the Ameerpet station, as opposed to a few years ago, when they were more sensitive to the issue since the reserved coaches were started in 2018.
“I have complained using the WhatsApp number and action was taken at the very next station, and once, two stations later. It's not the same anymore,” she said.
Another female student, requesting anonymity, said, “We understand that men get tired and sometimes want a seat but fail to find a place in general coaches and enter women’s compartment. Some women may just not want men there for fear of being leered at. Especially during peak hours, passengers stick to one another, giving miscreants a chance to molest women.”
A female HMRL employee, requesting anonymity, said: “We were earlier asked to regularly check or raid trains during stops, but we don't have enough manpower to do that anymore, especially during peak hours.”
- 7032224242 – WhatsApp number for women to lodge complaint
- Upon filing a complaint, the passenger is asked for station details
- Metro staff intervene at the next station and warn the offenders
- Following the action, Metro staff follow up with the complainant to ensure issue is resolved
- In case of continuing offence, the male passenger is confronted again at the next station and penalised Rs 300
- Women passengers, however, claim that the procedure is hardly followed
- A female HMRL employee, requesting anonymity, said: “We were earlier asked to regularly check or raid trains during stops, but we don't have enough manpower to do that anymore, especially during peak hours.”
