Delhi Metro is going to gift the women of the city an exclusive coach in its trains from October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The move comes after reports of heavy overcrowding in Metro trains were accompanied by demands from women for special coach to avoid eve teasing and harassment. The decision was taken by DMRC managing director E. Sreedharan keeping in view requests from several quarters to make such arrangements.
“Since about a quarter of the total passengers travelling on Delhi Metro consist of lady passengers, the reservation of one coach for ladies is being implemented experimentally,” a press statement issued by the DMRC said. The reserved ladies’ coach will be the first coach, the one next to the driver’s cabin, in each train. Children upto 12 years accompanying lady passengers will also be allowed travel in the coach,” DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal said.
The first coach of a Metro train can accommodate about 361 commuters (43 seating and 318 standing). “The existing reservation of seats for ladies, old and physically challenged in each coach will continue,” he said.