Mumbai: Former member of parliament Gopal Shetty has written to the union minister of railways to increase the women’s compartment in the local train services of Mumbai before the union budget. The former parliamentarian has also demanded allocation of funds in the budget to increase the city’s suburban local train services citing overcrowding and safety.
As the union finance minister is set to table the annual union budget on July 23, Shetty, former MP from Mumbai North constituency for two-terms, wrote to union railway minister Ashvini Vaishnav requesting an increase in women’s compartments in the Mumbai local trains and also increase the frequency. In the letter dated July 9, Shetty mentioned that Mumbai locals form a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of the daily commuters, but overcrowding and lack of adequate features have made the service unsafe for women, despite the availability of designated services.
Shetty requested the railway minister to take action on this matter and make a relevant announcement before the upcoming budget speech by the finance minister. He also suggested allocation of funds for this cause and said that it would be a significant step towards enhancing the safety and convenience of female commuters.
The former parliamentarian suggested that with the increase in the number of working women, it is imperative to make Mumbai's locals safer and more accessible for female passengers. He also claimed that there is an immediate need to run extra trains and provide sufficient compartments exclusively for women. Shetty had also addressed the letter to former union railway minister and current Mumbai North MP Piyush Goyal in June, September and October 2020.
“The Railways should take immediate corrective action to increase the number of ladies' trains and compartments for women travellers. By starting more Mumbai local trains for ladies and increasing the frequency of these trains, we can ensure a safer and more comfortable journey for all women commuters,” Shetty added.
Shetty also mentioned about a signature campaign started by women commuters advocating for an increase in the frequency of local trains and compartments designated for ladies. He claimed that it highlights the urgency and widespread support for this issue.
