Women's safety, pressing concern on local trains

Recent GRP statistics indicate a rise in molestation cases; women say railway police lack manpower.

- Megha Kuchik

Local trains are known as Mumbai's lifeline. However, the growing number of molestation cases onboard has turned the spotlight on the safety of women commuters.

The issue becomes more concerning as many victims either ignore these incidents or are scared to approach the police from the Statistics Government Railway Police.

(GRP) indicate a rise in molestation cases. Recently, a 26year-old woman from Kandivali faced harassment, while travelling to her office in Churchgate. She was seated at a window and a man suddenly appeared when the train halted at Malad. "Will you keep a physical relationship with me," he asked, leaving the victim shocked.

On July 18, a 46-year-old Nepal man, Ram Thapa, allegedly groped a 28-year-old TV journalist in an inebriated state at the Dadar skywalk. In a similar incident, a 25-yearold woman and her two friends were travelling from Pune to Mumbai on the Nagercoil Express.