Mumbai: The initiative of the Delhi government for providing free rides to women has surely made an impact. The Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) on Wednesday urged the Railway Ministry to reserve two seats for pregnant women and lactating mothers in Mumbai local trains. The MSCW chief Vijaya Rahatkar had written a letter to Piyush Goyal, railway minister urging him to provide reservation to pregnant women and lactating mothers.
The letter states, "One of the most crucial issues in travelling of pregnant women and lactating mothers in public transport, especially in local trains of Mumbai wherein the ladies compartments are overcrowded during rush hours. The pregnant women and lactating mothers face a lot of difficulties and risks." “These women are unable to board or alight easily during the rush hours,” the letter reads further.
In her letter, Rahatkar has applauded the initiatives of the Railway ministry, which has allowed pregnant women to travel in the compartments meant for differently-abled persons. "However, it is not possible for these women to board a particular compartment during rush hours," Rahatkar has pointed out.
“Hence, I request you to reserve or give first priority of minimum two seats for pregnant women and lactating mothers in every general compartment so that accidents or mishaps related to women or infants are avoided,” Rahatkar has said.
Narsi Benwal
