Mumbai: World's first women's special train on WR completes 26 years

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World's first 'ladies special' train, which was started between Churchgate and Borivali stations on the Western Railway (WR), completes 26 years on Saturday, an official said. The suburban train service was first introduced on May 5, 1992, by the WR to ferry only women passengers between the two stations.

Initially, there were only two daily services, but the number has now gone up to eight services a day- four each in the morning and evening peak hours.

"Dedicating an entire train to women commuters has gone down in the annals of history and the WR has become the torch-bearer for other Railways," WR chief spokesperson Ravinder Bhakar said.

"It is nothing less than a milestone that dedicating an entire train exclusively for women commuters for so many years has undoubtedly helped over one million-plus Mumbai women commuters to travel safely to and from their homes and workplaces," he added.

The ladies special train service that first ran between Churchgate and Borivali station was later extended up to Virar in 1993, a statement issued by the WR said.

"Since then, the train has been serving lakhs of women commuters daily, which is now considered a milestone for any suburban transport system in the world. Running successfully for 26 years on one of the busiest suburban lines is considered a blessing by all female travellers," it added.

Currently, WR runs four services in the morning peak hours originating from Borivali, Bhayandar, Vasai Road and Virar stations that terminate at Churchgate and another four in the evening peak hours from Churchgate to Borivali, Bhayandar and Virar (two services) stations.

Following in the footsteps of WR, the Central Railway (CR) also introduced suburban services exclusively for the women commuters on July 1, 1992, between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Kalyan.

The CR runs four full and 24 partial ladies special services between CSMT and Kalyan corridor, the CSMT-Panvel corridor on the Harbour line. Talking about the celebrations planned on the occasion, Bhakar said, "Women commuters in the special trains will be greeted and feedback will be taken from them to further improve the train services."

In a statement, he said that over the years the WR had taken several initiatives to "instil a sense of safety and security" amongst the women passengers by installing CCTV cameras in many ladies coaches and by introducing the talk-back system.

Also Read: Churchgate-Bound Train Skips Jogeshwari Halt

Edited by mid-day online desk, with inputs from PTI

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