Hyderabad metro women face harassment despite safety measures
HYDERABAD: A survey by students of Ethames Business School has revealed that women commuters face harassment near metro railway stations in Hyderabad at night, despite the presence of CCTV cameras and women-only coaches.
11% women report harassment near metro stations at night
Second-year Bachelor of Business Administration students conducted the survey over 15 days at 27 metro stations and found that 11% of women reported being harassed near stations after dark. Many said metro coaches had poor lighting at night, and supervision by staff was inadequate.
The team interviewed 410 passengers at stations including Raidurg, Jubilee Hills Road No. 5, Punjagutta, Erramanzil, Paradise, Secunderabad East, Uppal and Nagole. They found that only 12% of commuters were aware of or used the T-Safe mobile app and helplines meant for women’s safety. The study compared Hyderabad Metro with 15 metro systems in India and 247 worldwide. While it concluded that Hyderabad metro is relatively safe, it stressed that measures such as increased surveillance, better lighting and awareness campaigns could further improve women’s safety.
“Public transport must be safe for every woman to travel with dignity and confidence. This study strengthens our efforts,” said Shikha Goel, Director General of Telangana Women’s Safety Wing. Hyderabad Metro Rail Managing Director NVS Reddy added that the findings would help improve safety measures.
Students Amminabegum, Khateeja Tulakubra, Taruni Reddy and Sukhjodh Singh prepared the report under the guidance of Chairman Kaliprasad. Copies were also submitted to metro authorities and the women’s safety department.
