Saffronisation of Mumbai Locals to Keep Women Safe?

The Central Railway has suggested that the exterior of women’s coaches be painted “soothing saffron.”

The Central Railway has suggested that the exterior of compartments reserved for women in Mumbai locals be painted in “soothing saffron” to ensure their safety, The Indian Express reported.

In a concept note written to the Railway Board, Additional Chief Security Commissioner of the Railway Protection Force in Central Railways Pranav Kumar said saffron colour would inspire “courage and valour” among women to “to rise against male encroachers,” as well as inspire “sacrifice and chivalry” among men.

“Exterior of coaches/compartments reserved for women passengers should bear a different colour from other coaches of the train. Soothing saffron colour is suggested,” he wrote in his proposal.

The coaches of Mumbai local trains currently have a uniform colour.

Although men are not allowed entry into the women’s coaches – except between 11 pm and 5 am – the Central Railway registered 2,411 cases of illegal entry of male passengers, IE reported. These passengers are usually charged a fine of Rs 500.

The Central Railway has also planned to instal closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in women’s compartments, and hire women in the RPF Mitra Yojana.

Molestation and theft has been reported in trains. Recently, a 23-year-old woman vendor was allegedly raped onboard a passenger train when it was passing Bherkhera area under Bhopal railway division of the West Central Railway.

In a different incident, a 40-year-old woman died on 3 September after she fell off a moving train near the Old Delhi Railway Station, while resisting a snatching bid, police said.

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