The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Southern Railway to conduct a survey with the assistance of experts and install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in railway coaches/compartments for providing adequate security to women, children and elderly passengers.
Justice S.M. Subramaniam directed the Southern Railway to formulate guidelines to be followed by security officials in running trains. Efforts had to be made as expeditiously as possible in the interest of the public at large, the court said.
Many women were travelling alone even during odd hours in buses, trains and aircraft. It was the duty of the State to ensure their safety. In many countries, CCTV cameras were installed inside public transport at strategic places to track the passengers. Such a policy must be implemented by the Southern Railway also, the court said.
Precautionary measures in running trains were undoubtedly required and adequate protection in various forms were to be provided by the Railways. When crores of rupees were being spent to meet large-scale expenditures, the Railways was bound to spend money on the safety and security of its passengers, more specifically women passengers, in running trains during odd hours, it added.