Safety of women travellers inside the suburban rail system is under question. A few weeks ago, sources said that Union Railway minister Piyush Goyal gave adverse remarks on 'talk-back' system. Now, the railway authorities are thinking of extremes for this project — whether to put it in cold storage or call for tenders again. This was namely to do with having talk back system in existing local trains inside ladies compartments. The Western Railway had installed this system on a trial basis inside 6 ladies coaches of two trains. Senior railway officials in the know of this project said that ever since the railway minister slammed the officials here for its high cost, the morale has dipped and now there is actually little hope for its revival. "The bidders were called through reverse tendering, and we got the best rate from the private parties," said a senior railway official. The Western and Central Railways together were going to implement this project at a cost of around Rs 15-16 crore in which ladies compartments of every train would have been fitted with this system. Setting up the system in each coach would cost the Railways around Rs 8-10 lakh. However, at the meeting held a few weeks ago, Railway ministry officials wanted to bring down the cost. Sources said that the minister made adverse remarks on the ground that there are technologies available that can further bring down its cost. However certain section of railwaymen feel that there is still hope for its revival. "We will be re-tendering this project and install them inside ladies compartments," said another senior railway official on condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, all the new trains that shall be procured under MUTP-3 and 3A will have in-built talk back system. The WR had conducted trials whose response was not that great. The officials claim that most of the complaints on the talk back system were to check if it's working or not. The CR too was in the process of calling tenders but has stalled since the direction for reducing its cost has come forth. Earlier this May, the WR authorities had announced that they will install 'talk back' facility inside First Class and Ladies compartment on 72 trains — 70% of its total fleet. Talk back facility enables women commuters to speak to motorman and guard in case of an emergency. The upgraded version even records the conversation in the system. This will help them as evidence in serious offences.

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