HYDERABAD: Adapting Indian Railways motto of safety first, Visakhapatnam railway station of Waltair Division, East Coast Railway, has launched a unique all-female group of railway personnel. Named Subhadra Vahini, this special team of 32 women security personnel will assist lady passengers in case of any eventualities and neccessities. 


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To get in touch with Subhadra Vahini, women can dial on the toll-free number 182 or connect on it's Facebook and Twitter profiles.


Subhadra Vahini reportedly has 32 railway personnel – 16 from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and 16 from Railway Commercial Department. and an equal number from the commercial wing of the division. The initiative is a joint venture by the Railway Protection Force and Railway Commercial Department. 


Indian Railways has been taking several measures to strengthen security of women passengers in trains. 


Last month, the North Eastern Railway (NER) decided to install 'panic buttons' in coaches and deploy women police personnel on trains during night hours. The 'panic buttons' in coaches would be directly linked with the train's guard coach.


This year, Indian Railways is focussing on "women and child safety". Special plans of deploying women police personnel in sub-urban trains during night hours besides recruitment of women have been in the pipeline.


Asserting that safety is paramount, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that the massive work undertaken for maintenance of tracks was causing train delays.


"Safety of passengers is paramount for us," he told the media at a press conference here while highlighting the achievements of the Railway Ministry in the last four years.