Bhubaneswar: To safeguard women and children on railway premises, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) launched an updated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on October 25, 2024, at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi. This comprehensive SOP provides a robust framework for protecting children and addressing incidents of trafficking, exploitation, and abuse across India’s railway network.
Acknowledging the critical role of Indian Railways in enhancing passenger safety, MoWCD Secretary Anil Malik praised initiatives like the installation of CCTV and facial recognition technology at upgraded railway stations. With over 2.3 crore passengers using the railway network daily—30% of whom are women, including many traveling alone—this SOP is designed to address the safety needs of vulnerable passengers.
The RPF has been proactive in countering human trafficking, rescuing over 57,000 children in the past five years, including 18,172 girls, and reuniting 80% of these children with their families. Initiatives such as Operation Nanhe Farishte and Operation AAHT have underscored RPF’s dedication to protecting at-risk children. Since 2022, Operation AAHT alone has rescued more than 2,300 children and apprehended 674 traffickers.
The new SOP also encourages states like Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh to establish Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) at railway stations. While 262 stations were planned to host these units, limited cooperation has hindered progress in certain states. The MoWCD is committed to writing to state governments and District Magistrates to expedite AHTU setups and further RPF’s protection efforts.
To ensure women’s safety, the Railways runs Operation Meri Saheli, focusing on protecting single women travelers. The government’s ‘Nirbhaya Fund’ will also support these efforts through funding for CCTV installations and facial recognition systems to prevent crime against women.
Looking ahead, the Indian Railways and MoWCD announced the expansion of Child Help Desks (CHDs) at major stations, aiming to strengthen the support system for children in distress. With a renewed mission statement, “Our Mission: Prevent Child Trafficking on Trains,” Indian Railways has committed to creating a secure, compassionate environment across its extensive network, with the enhanced SOP reflecting the learning gained from over a decade of anti-trafficking initiatives.
Revised to align with the Juvenile Justice Act and MoWCD’s Mission Vatsalya, this SOP guides railway personnel in identifying and assisting children, ensuring they reach the Child Welfare Committee. Speaking at the launch, RPF DG Manoj Yadava highlighted the organization’s unwavering commitment to child welfare, marking this updated SOP as a cornerstone in safeguarding India’s railway premises.