This one incident that took place with me at a Metro Station has been with me forever and still horrifies me. I was coming back home from my school after writing a Pre-Boards examination. I took the metro, as usual, from the Vaishali Metro Station. It is one massive place. Some parts of it are crowded whereas others are quiet. I took the latter one to avoid the crowd as usual. As I was taking the stairs, I saw this man staring at me. There was no other person on that floor. I saw the man shaking his hand too and as I walked closer to him to reach the next floor, I saw him walking towards me while he was masturbating. I ran away from him and I took the stairs hurriedly. Thank god that I found two Police Officers on the next floor. I told them what all the person did and boarded the metro as soon as I could.
Introduced in 2002, the metro in Delhi is something which gives the city’s people convenience and easy access to far-away places. Undoubtedly, Delhi Metro has taken a lot of burden from the city’s roads when it comes to managing traffic. More often than not, women have also been hearing good things from people around them about the metro, including something like, “It is the safest option for you as a woman”. But really, is it?
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“The first coach in the moving direction is reserved for ladies”, is what we hear every time we board a metro. This means that every metro has a special coach which is meant for women only, for their concerns for safety. Last year too, the Delhi government passed a demand to allocate funds to make travel free for women in public transport, including metros and busses.
“The other day when I was going to college by metro, something very strange, yet humiliating happened. I boarded my second metro from Rajiv Chawk which obviously was very crowded. Nothing unusual, I boarded the metro. I was wearing a skirt and after 3-4 stations passed, I felt something moving down my leg. I couldn’t see it properly since the metro was crowded. I got off at my station and saw it there on my leg. It was sem*n, somebody really did masturbat* on me. And I got worse when I couldn’t recall when it happened. It could have happened at Rajiv Chawk or while I was waiting for the second metro. The same person could be there with me in my metro, but I wouldn’t know. It was very humiliating,” recalled a girl from Delhi University. Cases like these happen a lot. Women are harassed and abused while they travel in metros and the crowd makes it worse because you cannot really make out who did it to you, did it really happen or was it just because there is literally no space in the metro? Thus the question, can by making their travel free, the government ensures women’s safety? It seems highly unlikely!
“It happens to me all the time. What time is it or what line am I in, it does not matter. You would be standing with several men surrounding you. Somebody would touch your bottoms, another would deliberately try to fall on you while the other one would be touching your buttocks with their crotch. One time this guy was actually trying to touch me between my thighs again and again. He wouldn’t stop, I smacked his hand each time but he still wouldn’t stop. The worst part is when you realize that amidst the crowd, you cannot find out which person it was. What if I blame the wrong person? What if it is just the crowd and nobody did it intentionally? How do I prove it that somebody really did touch me inappropriately and it humiliated me?”.
Another part of the problem comes when you share such incidents with people and they start blaming the victim itself. “Why didn’t you take the ladies coach”, as they say, they miss the fact that sometimes the ladies coach itself is very crowded. When all women prefer one coach over the others, it is bound to be more crowded than the others. Whereas sometimes, you are just too late to run to the farthest ladies coach and you board the first coach you see. Besides everything, can a woman not board a general coach and expect not to be harassed? Can she never travel in it without being taught the lesson that you are safe in a women’s coach and women’s coach alone? Perhaps we people are not decent enough to let you go and not harass you?
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Being public transport, having excellent accessibility, and being an eco-friendly choice, Delhi Metro sure is the best option sometimes. Every popular part of the city can be reached within minutes and you would not have to face all the head aching traffic jams. But these cases of harassment and abuse make women unsure about it. And just like that, like everything in the world, it becomes a menace to women, while the whole world benefits from it.
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FAQs
Over the past two decades, Delhi's expansive Metro network has eased travel for women, especially with its safety provisions such as a separate coach, reserved seats and CCTV coverage, helping working people and students alike across the city.
How safe is it to travel in Delhi Metro? ›
Absolutely safe. Possibly the safest mode of transport in Delhi. Very efficiently operated and very popular. 1st coach is reserved for women only.
Is it safe to travel in metro at night in Delhi? ›
Since there is a guard at every coach and security check at the entry point, the Delhi Metro is so far the safest way to travel in the city, even at the wee hours of the day.
Is Delhi Metro safe for girls at night? ›
Women students, when traveling in the city, should avoid lonely and deserted spaces, especially after dark. The Delhi metro provides a safe, comfortable and convenient means of travel till late in the night.
Which part of Delhi is safe for girls? ›
Sectors 55 and 56 are the greatest areas to reside if you want to live in a safe neighbourhood with inexpensive amenities. It's a safe place to live because the areas are under 24-hour CCTV observation.
Is Delhi safe for girls to travel? ›
While you can never guarantee safety completely while travelling anywhere, India is considered to be a fairly safe country for women to travel around as long as certain precautions are taken to minimise any potential danger.
Is it safe for a girl to stay in Delhi? ›
There is a lack of police patrolling, unlit roads that put women travelling around the country late night at a higher risk. The National Captial Delhi is the most dangerous city in the nation and also bagged the title of the rape capital in the past post the increasing number of rape cases.
How safe is Delhi for tourists? ›
Delhi is safe for tourists, or as safe as a city of 31 million people can be. Like any major metropolis, there is crime and travellers should take precautions. By following safety tips, erring on the side of caution and respecting local cultural norms you can have a very safe visit.
Is Delhi airport safe for female students? ›
It absolutely is Safe. IGI Airport is known for its safety and security standards and parameters. You can be assured that you will be safe throughout your hault time. Infact, IGI is guarded and secured by CISF.
How safe is Metro at night? ›
Indeed, the metro and the RER are not dangerous at night. You can take the last metro without worries, most of the time there are often people or at least a few people in the stations near the tourist spots and this until the last metro or RER.
The Delhi Metro, as per the existing rules, keeps one coach, either the first or the last one, reserved only for women passengers during transit. "Metro trains are getting too crowded day by day so that it becomes very difficult for a woman commuter to walk till the first coach to get into the reserved compartment.
Which is the No 1 metro in India? ›
The Delhi Metro Rail is the largest and busiest metro network in India.
Why Delhi Metro is so clean? ›
The flooring is a single piece epoxy rather than a grid of tiles, which catch dust and grime around seams. The colour, materials and finishes ( CMF) are carefully handpicked for their durability and easy cleaning. The whole metro can simply be hosed down and machine dried in a few hours.
Is sleeper train safe for girls? ›
Yes, It is completely safe. The algorithm for seat arrangement, ensures that single travelling female would get a seat where at least another female is present in the nearby seats.
Does Metro have ladies compartment? ›
To bring uniformity across the network, the first coach in the moving direction of Delhi metro trains will be reserved for women on all corridors, except for the Red Line, Delhi Metro officials said on Monday.
Is India safe for American tourists? ›
Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism. Do not travel to: The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest. Within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict.
Can I book a hotel room with my girlfriend in Delhi? ›
Can unmarried couples stay in hotels in India? Yes. No law in the country denies an unmarried couple a stay in a hotel. However, checking-in a couple is at the discretion of the hotel owners / managers.
What is the biggest problem in Delhi? ›
Among the environmental problems, air pollution, water pollution, loss of biodiversity, municipal waste and noise pollution are major environmental challenges that the city is facing. The city suffers from air pollution caused by transportation, road dust, industries and pollutant emissions.
What is the safest way to travel in Delhi at night? ›
It's completely safe for you to reach airport at midnight. And its also better if you can hire a prepaid taxi , right from the railway station, which will be provided at a nominal prices. Or else, you go for OLa or Uber Cabs if you have applications installed in your mobile.
Which is the safest city in Delhi? ›
Malviya Nagar, Saket and Vasant Kunj
Apart from being laden with several commercial establishments and entertainment zones, these areas are also regarded as one of the safest in Delhi and offer a secure environment to the residents.
Is Uber in India safe? In the past, there have been some problems with the safety of Uber, especially in cities like Delhi. There was an instance where a lady was raped by her driver and subsequently Uber was banned for a long time. But, the service has improved massively since and it's by and large very safe.
Is it safe to walk in Delhi at night? ›
I would say that Delhi is safe generally. However, precautions are required especially in the night. Old Delhi gets closed at about 6pm (for main shopping and not eateries) so you should be going back to your hotel. Rickshaws are the best mode in Old Delhi (Chandni Chowk area).
Can you avoid Delhi belly? ›
The general rule of thumb is to not eat any fruit or vegetables that can't be peeled. A peel ensures a protective layer which helps avoid contamination. If there's no peel, don't just chow right down on the skin of whatever you're eating, but make sure to wash it thoroughly with bottled or boiled water.
Which is the safest state in India for females? ›
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu is undoubtedly the safest city for women in India in 2022. The rate of crime in the city in 2019 was only 7.9. Crime rate is the number of crimes recorded per one lakh of the population.
Is it safe for a girl to travel alone in train in India? ›
I took over 10 train journeys, all of them solo. I learned a few things about solo female train travel in India. To summarise, train travel is safe, even for solo female travellers, and we should not be put off it.
Can a girl travel alone in India? ›
As a solo female traveller in India, I don't advise winging it when you first arrive. Book your accommodation (at least for the first night in a place) ahead of time so you know where you are going to, book trains well in advance (1 month if possible) so you are guaranteed a berth in a good class of travel.
Can I sleep in Metro? ›
You'll be given the option to sleep. Press and hold the action button and then you'll have four options. You can get up. You can sleep until nighttime—perfect if you're looking to sneak around and avoid bandits.
Are night trains safe? ›
Night trains in Europe are just as safe as their daily counterparts. If you're in a shared compartment and want to ensure your valuables are safe, keep them within reach and out of sight while you sleep.
Are Tube stations safe at night? ›
Generally, the London Underground is safe to travel at night. Crime rates are relatively low, and many underground trains have a large number of passengers until at least 1am every night. Each underground train have CCTV cameras covering every inch of space.
Is ladies compartment in train safe? ›
As these are enclosed cabins they are safer than the rest of classes. Trains do get delayed, however high priority trains such as Rajdhanis etc.
A reservation quota of 6 Sleeper class berths in Mail/Express trains has been earmarked in third bay of the coach for female passengers irrespective of age, travelling alone or in a group of female passengers.
Which is the cleanest metro in India? ›
Hyderabad. Catching pace and steam, Hyderabad Metro has also made commuting easier in the city. It is one of the cleanest and reliable services.
Why Delhi Metro is best in world? ›
Not only was it impeccably clean and comfortable, but also highly convenient. Everything you could possibly need on your journey is at your fingertips. Plus, driving through Delhi's crazy traffic and choked roads from Jor Bagh to Chandni Chowk would have taken me at least an hour.
Why Delhi Metro is best? ›
Delhi Metro routes offer better connectivity: The metro in the national capital spreads across the city and joins it with several other cities in the national capital region, making commute easier for people. Delhi metro has genuinely reduced traffic on the roads and eased the burden on city buses.
Is Delhi safe for female tourists? ›
While you can never guarantee safety completely while travelling anywhere, India is considered to be a fairly safe country for women to travel around as long as certain precautions are taken to minimise any potential danger.
Can women carry knife in Delhi Metro? ›
The Central Industrial Security Force, responsible for the security of Delhi Metro, have decided to let women keep these items as weapons of self-defence. With this decision, small knives, lighters and matchboxes are off the restricted items list for Metro travel in Delhi.
Which is the safest metro city for women in the country? ›
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu is undoubtedly the safest city for women in India in 2022. The rate of crime in the city in 2019 was only 7.9. Crime rate is the number of crimes recorded per one lakh of the population.
Is Delhi safe for Americans? ›
Delhi is safe for tourists, or as safe as a city of 31 million people can be. Like any major metropolis, there is crime and travellers should take precautions. By following safety tips, erring on the side of caution and respecting local cultural norms you can have a very safe visit.
