Traveling women in Uttar Pradesh will soon breathe easier, thanks to a ambitious railway project unveiling 1,680 new women’s toilets across 640 stations. This comprehensive effort targets the unique challenges faced by female passengers, especially those from villages and tier-3 towns where facilities are scarce.
The news was shared by UP Women’s Commission Vice-Chairperson Aparna Yadav, who described it as a ‘welcome and necessary’ measure. In her statements, she stressed the link between clean sanitation and disease prevention, thanking railways for drafting the plan. She also lauded PM Narendra Modi’s empowerment drive, which has galvanized government bodies to act decisively on women’s issues.
For context, the shortage has been a flashpoint, with commuter groups lobbying Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for change. The rollout includes strategic divisions like Northern Railway’s Lucknow and Moradabad, North Eastern’s Lucknow, Izzatnagar, Varanasi, and North Central’s Agra, Jhansi, Prayagraj. Larger stations have basic setups, but rural ones have been problematic, exposing women to indignities.
This initiative not only enhances privacy and cleanliness but also boosts overall travel safety. It’s a testament to evolving priorities in public services, promising a more equitable and comfortable rail network for half the population.