Hubballi: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is promoting its helpline numbers, mobile app and social media accounts through which passengers can lodge complaints to ensure the efficiency of security system in the railways and to attend security related issues.

Speaking to media persons here on Friday, South Western Railway (SWR) Chief Security Commissioner S C Sahu, the RPF of the SWR is attending grievances submitted through modern channels of communication.

Twitter account @rpfswr has also been started, and a mobile helpline exclusively for women (97316 66725) is also operational. Using SWR Security App, passengers can report a crime, lodge complaint, give feedback, contact emergency assistance and get useful information. Out of 124 complaints given to the office of the SWR general manager, 120 are redressed.

 The RPF also rescued 165 runaway or missing children, including 45 girls. 'Mahila Vahini', a team of 100 RPF personnel, would also be formed in Bengaluru, for the protection of women,he said 

He briefed that through special drives, many persons, including travel agents and unauthorised vendors were prosecuted and huge fines were collected from them. 

RPF staff were trained regarding their behaviour with passengers. Awareness campaigns, regarding the ill effects of drugging, stone pelting, dumping of garbage, and other issues. Awareness programme was also held for eunuchs, and they were counselled not to trouble passengers. Drives were also conducted to prevent male passengers entering ladies compartment, to prevent footboard travelling, to implement smoking ban, to prevent and detect passenger crimes, and to recover left behind luggages, Mr Sahu explained.

SWR Deputy Chief Security Commissioner B S Nath, Senior Divisional Security Commissioner V C Mallikarjun, and others were present.