Hyderabad: Crime against women in India is on the rise and safety is a major concern now. With the government and the police taking out stern measures to curb the menace, but all in vain as cases of rape and sexual abuse is now an everyday affair.
In an effort to ensure the safety of women, the State Road Transport Corporation in Hyderabad has started putting up sliding doors in buses which separate the men and women section in the city buses. While partitions have only been put up in a few buses initially, the plan is in place for all buses in Hyderabad to be divided into two sections to ensure safe travel for women.
“We are at least a bit safe now. We often face harassments as drunken man get in and push us. The segregation will now keep them at bay,†said one commuter.
Others too echo the sentiment and hail the decision. “For the past two years, I have been travelling in this bus. I think it is a good facility by the government. It is very uncomfortable for us when drunkards come and fall on us,” another commuter said.
But there are others who feel the other way round. “Segregating coaches is not going to help. What if a man follows a woman after she steps out of the bus?†said an angry commuter, who thinks there should be concrete steps to stop women harassment.
“Govt should come up with more strict laws to curb the crime. But before that, the mindset of the people should change on how they should treat women,†she added.
In September, glass panes without sliding door were tried by the corporation. Much to the chagrin of women travelling on buses, men of all ages, move into women’s section, sometimes fall on them and occupy seats reserved for women.
Women commuters, while welcoming the steps, suggested that a helpline phone number be displayed in buses for lodging complaints in case of harassment.