NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): NCRTC organised a Community Awareness Program in Muradnagar, Ghaziabad. This program was conducted under the aegis of the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR) initiative provided to NCRTC in conjunction with an ADB loan for the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS project. The theme of this program was ‘Empowering Women Through Transport and Mobility’, with particular emphasis on the role of RRTS in such empowerment.
The participants primarily comprised female students and women residing in nearby rural areas. NCRTC conducted a session to make them aware of various women-friendly provisions in RRTS and how India’s first Regional Rail will help empower them through improved access and increased opportunities apart from safe travel.
Despite being a part of the National Capital Region, the people, especially women of this region, are often deprived of the professional, economic, social, and health-related opportunities and facilities offered due to the unavailability of adequate transportation. In addition, safety concerns often make it difficult for them to pursue their dreams and result in not only their loss but a loss of talent and resources for the country.
RRTS, with a design speed of 180km/hr, would offer commuter transit services which would be safe, comfortable, and reliable and reduce the commuter journey time to one-third in the region. Furthermore, with an unprecedented focus on Multi-Modal-Integration, NCRTC is creating a vast network of networks by integrating RRTS stations with Railway Stations, Inter State Bus Terminals (ISBTs)/Bus Depots, Airport and Metro Stations, wherever possible, enabling seamless commuter movement.
Commuter-centricity is paramount for NCRTC, so every RRTS train has a coach designated for women commuters. Stations and Trains will be monitored 24×7 through CCTV cameras. Trains will be operationalised through a Centralised Operation Control Room, and Platform Screen Doors (PSD) will be installed at every RRTS station. Trains will run only after both the train doors and PSDs are closed.
The participants were zealous about the RRTS project, especially for having such safe, high-class services and appreciated the various efforts being made by NCRTC to ensure commuter comfort for regional travel.
To address and provide solutions to the women’s safety concerns, a special session was conducted on the ‘Apps to use in distress situations’, primarily to assist safely in public transportation. The participants appreciated this valuable and informative session and applauded the team. Working professionals and students found it most beneficial, especially those who often have to travel alone at odd hours. Some other sessions on the benefits of Economic Empowerment, Microfinancing Opportunities and Benefits of Access to Health Services were also conducted at this community awareness program.
NCRTC organises such community awareness programs from time to time to make people aware of India’s first regional rail and how it will unlock the region’s potential. It also encourages them to switch from their private vehicles and choose RRTS as a preferred mode of public transport once it begins its revenue operations.
