Prabhu prioritises women safety in rail budget

New Delhi, Feb 26: Giving priority to women's safety, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu Thursday announced the utilisation of resources from the Nirbhaya Fund by Indian Railways, adding that surveillance cameras would be provided in select coaches. Presenting his maiden Railway Budget 2015-16 in parliament here, Prabhu also announced a dedicated toll-free number, 182, for receiving any security-related complaints. "Indian Railways would utilise resources from the Nirbhaya Fund for augmenting security of women passengers... For the safety of women passengers, surveillance cameras will be provided on a pilot basis in selected mainline coaches and ladies’ compartments of suburban coaches without compromising on privacy," he said. Additionally, an all-India helpline number, 138, would become functional to attend to the problems of passengers on a real time basis. "A mobile application to redress Railway-related complaints is also being developed...The railways intends to start this facility on a pilot project basis on Northern Railway from March 1. Based on the experience gained and the feedback received from passengers, this will be extended to all Railways soon thereafter," he said. Prabhu also said that the middle berth, in three-tier class, would be reserved for women and senior citizens.