I have been a regular Metro commuter for a while now and like everyone else, I, too, am euphoric by the DMRC's (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) decision to have coaches, especially for women. What a relief it is!
The platform floors now have sticky labels in pink and white (bang on, on the colour-combo DMRC!) written 'Women Only' and 'Keval Mahilaye' - pointing to the area from where women queue up for their special service. And once in there, you are in your own 'female zone'. Certainly, not like Mumbai's local train where women are seen doing homely chores... (Yes, they do everything that they possibly can in women's only while they are taken from one corner of the city to another!)
According to the DMRC's commuter survey, one-fourth of the total commuter strength of the Metro is made up of women. So to make travelling comfortable for women - the first coach after the driver's cab in every train is women-only from now on. And, children up to 12 years - irrespective of gender, and the physically challenged are also allowed to travel in the exclusive coach.
I personally welcome this move because I have suffered as much in the congested Metro as any other female would have. But this is not the case with most male commuters. A male friend argues the need for reservations for women in every possible sphere - 'why can't they be with the rest of the male commuters while travelling, and why can't Delhi Metro add one more coach for the comfort of all instead of reserving one?'
He might have his own points, and I don't totally disagree. But honestly, I have witnessed many such instances where a girl suddenly screams at a man - asking him to stand properly and not let his hands touch her. Also, incidents where a man flatly refuses to get up from the reserved seats for women even if asked by a female commuter to do so.
I always make it a point to not sit on those seats that are reserved for senior citizens even if the seats go unoccupied, and also try to make expectant women, and women with babies sit even if that involves making the impolite men get up from the reserved seats.
Hopefully, you will agree with me that the angst has nothing to do with the entire mass of male commuters - almost all of them are refined, but it is for the probable few who create a bad scene and make it a torturous ride for fellow travellers.
But now, with the special 'Keval Mahilaye' there would be no more 'Bhaiya/uncle, - zara peche hatiye... zara theek se kadhe ho jiye'. (Keep at a distance... Stand properly)
Just hoping that we women don't get into any sort of cat fights in our so exclusive coach!
P.S.: Day 3 run of the women's coach was my first experience of the service. And, the comfort inside the coach was suitably apparent to each other. However, I still could spot three men inside the coach. Thinking that they are unaware of it, (maybe the proper announcements were missed... naturally!) I asked them to move to the next bogie. What I got instead was a raw reply - 'Lagta hai aap he ko pareshani ho rahi hai, Madam' (Feels like you are only being troubled, Madam)
Madam learnt not to teach much to the trespassers.
Published on ibnlive.com
Saturday , October 09, 2010
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