Woman, 20, loses left arm after being pushed from moving local train near Naigaon

Lakhs of people travel daily on Mumbai's local trains, the city's lifeline, among them thousands of women who commute to work. Incidents of molestation, assault and attacks on local trains have once again raised the question of women's safety. After a shocking incident near Naigaon railway station, women commuters are questioning the railway administration's security arrangements.

On November 4, a 20-year-old woman who protested against harassment near Naigaon station was pushed from a moving local train. She lost her left arm in the incident. The case has put the safety of women on rail journeys back in discussion.

Women commuters ask what use the security arrangements are if such incidents occur despite police deployment and CCTV cameras at stations. Questions are also being raised about the efficiency of the security and investigating agencies, as the accused remained at large for two days.

Mumbai local trains of 15 coaches have only four to five coaches for women. A large number of women travel every day, so the women's coaches are crowded. There is a demand to increase the number of women's coaches so that women can travel safely and comfortably.

Women commuters say the railway administration should act on the ground and not merely give assurances. Their demands are as follows:

The railway administration should give financial help for the treatment and rehabilitation of the victim. Police or home guards should be posted on every railway platform. Every women's coach should have a security guard. CCTV cameras should be increased at stations and sensitive locations and monitored regularly. The number of women's coaches in local trains should be increased in view of the number of passengers.

Women have to travel by local train every day for work, study and other reasons. If worries about safety remain throughout the journey, commuters ask what meaning the measures taken in the name of women's safety have.

The Naigaon incident has again drawn attention to the gaps in rail security. The demand is growing that the railway administration strengthen security, appoint a security guard in every women's coach and increase police presence at crowded stations, so that women can travel without fear.