HC orders separate train coaches for women during Eid

The High Court has ordered that separate compartments be allocated for women in all passenger trains in the country to reduce crowding and suffering of passengers on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Azha.

A bench comprising Justices Fahmida Quader and Asif Hasan gave the order on Tuesday (May 12).

Lawyer Md. Ajmal Hossain Khokon heard the writ petition in the court.

The lawyers said that according to Section 64 of the Railway Act of 1890, there is a provision to have a separate compartment for women in every train. In addition, it is also said to have a separate toilet with that compartment in long-distance trains (more than 50 miles).

But in reality, as this provision was not fully implemented, lawyer Mumtaz Parveen filed a writ in 2021. Later, the court issued a rule on the matter.

This order was given on the basis of a supplementary application due to the high passenger pressure during Eid and to ensure the safety and comfort of women.

According to the court's order, the allocation of reserved compartments for women in trains during Eid must be ensured and the concerned authorities must take effective measures to implement it.