How a Tweet to the Ministry of Railways Saved a Lady Passenger from Harassment on a Train

A woman passenger who felt harassed on a train in Maharashtra, sought help by tweeting to the Ministry of Railways' handle. Her tweet was immediately noted and help reached as soon as the train stopped at the next station. This is how.

By Tanaya Singh

November 30, 2015

Namrata Mahajan was aboard an outstation train in Maharashtra when she found herself stuck in an unfortunate situation. She felt harassed by the behaviour of a male passenger and was very scared as she was travelling alone. To call for help, she decided to use twitter and posted a tweet directed to the Ministry of Railways’ handle.

She tweeted at 6:59 pm when the train was passing through Shegaon railway station on 26 November:

@RailMinIndia plz plz help in tarin no 18030 one male passanger harrassing me at shegaon I am in train terrified
— namrata mahajan (@namratamahajan1) November 26, 2015

According to Central Railway chief PRO, Narendra Patil, a senior officer, Ved Prakash took note of the tweet instantly and contacted him for help.

Source: Twitter

As Namrata had not provided all the required details for adequate support to reach her, they asked for her PNR number through a tweet.

On receiving the details, railway officials came to know that her train was about to reach Bhusaval railway station and they assured her that she would get help there.

@RailMinIndia contacted 182 helpline no they assured me help near bhusawal. — namrata mahajan (@namratamahajan1) November 26, 2015

40 minutes later, as soon as the train stopped at Bhusaval railway station, RPF jawans reached out to Namrata.

If you are weak physically, you should have alot knowledge to save yourself#thanksrailministry
— namrata mahajan (@namratamahajan1) November 26, 2015

@pra_shri80 @RailMinIndia yes sir exactly I am safe thanks for that immediate help sir.

— namrata mahajan (@namratamahajan1) November 26, 2015

The male passenger was shifted to another coach as he had a valid ticket. “The man had a wait-listed ticket and his behaviour and body language did not seem to be decent and since Mahajan was travelling alone, she felt terrified,” Narendra Patil informed PTI.

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