Call for more Metro security

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In a city where many are dependent on the Delhi Metro as one of the most convenient ways of commuting, many women are not finding the ride easy. The recent incident where an allegedly drunk Metro guard shot his colleague yet again raises questions about the security system at many Metro stations. If you ask women in the capital about how safe do they feel in the Metro, many of them have encountered unpleasant incidents.
“Just a few days back, when I was at the Anand Vihar Metro Station, a rickshawala passed lewd comments as he walked towards the Metro Station. I feel there should be guards posted on the gates at the Metro stations too,” says Sonali Gupta, a student.
There are some who feel that travelling by the Metro daily can be quite a daunting task, especially at overcrowded stations. “Rajiv Chowk to Dwarka route is overcrowded all the time, and for girls it’s quite a harassment to travel by the Metro, especially at night when the crowd just pounces on us. Most men don’t even understand the importance of seats, which are meant especially for girls. Just a few days back, when the Metro was overcrowded, I asked a man to vacate the ‘ladies seat’ for me, he started making fun of me along with some other men. After a while I realised those men were a little drunk,” says Akansha Goel, an IP university student.
Those travelling on the route towards Rohini also complain of “not so stringent” security at Metro stations.
Manisha Yadav, an MBA student has often spotted drunken men boarding the Metro. “In fact, once I saw a man vomiting on the stairs of the Kohat Enclave Metro station. He was so drunk that he kept passing vulgar comments on passers-by. When I asked the Metro security guard to tell the man to leave, he simply said that he is helpless as the man is too drunk to walk. Liquor tests should be a must at the very entrance of Metro stations, especially those in lonely areas like Dwarka,” she says.
Vidhi Arora, a resident of Dwarka who often travels by the Metro, says most stations at Dwarka need proper security measures.
“Just keeping a few guards to check your bags isn’t enough. By the time the Metro reaches Dwarka it gets really empty, and men often stare at women and make them feel uncomfortable. I feel suspicious characters should be barred from boarding the Metro and anti-social elements who try to harass girls while boarding the Metro, should be warned and if need be punished,” she adds.