Unauthorised vendors to be banned

Concerned over problems faced by women commuters, the Railways have decided not to allow unauthorised vendors into women's compartments in suburban trains, besides deployment of lady squads in all zonal railways.

Stickers indicating the phone numbers of the security helpline would be affixed prominently in the compartments, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad informed the Lok Sabha while presenting his maiden Rail Budget.

Deployment of lady ticket checking squads on some sections of zonal Railways has proved helpful in infusing a sense of security among the female passengers, he said.

Encouraged by the results of this experimental step taken by Indian Railways, "we have decided to extend the deployment of such lady squads over all the zonal Railways where ever it is required, Prasad said.