Women feel alone in Dadar station's crowd

MUMBAI: Dadar is among the oldest railway stations in the city. It is a transit point for commuters switching between Western and Central Railway. Around 25 lakh people use the station during peak hours. But there are only three narrow foot overbridges and a municipal bridge that connect the western part of the station to the east. For women, the bridges are unsafe: one has to always guard against the repelling hands of gropers and intentions that are worse.Ironically, fear of sexual assault usually arises in empty streets, not at a place that is perpetually crowded.
Women commuters for whom Dadar is a destination or transit say the place is a daily battleground for dignity and survival. "As a rule, I always hold my bag in front and push my elbows out so that I can keep away the potential molester," said Preetha Nair, who works at Marine Lines and lives in Dombivli.
Despite a high court order to keep the bridges free of hawkers, one can always see vendors lining them, reducing walking space. The problem is worst at a particular bridge. "Platform number 4 of the WR section is narrow and the old bridge towards the north end is narrower still," said Ritika Shah, a student. "Chances of getting molested as one climbs the stairs are minimal because the crowd is overwhelming. But when one comes to the floor of the bridge, the possibility grows exponentially."
Priyanka Jain, who changes trains at Dadar and Kurla, said her college backpack is her shield, which she always holds in front. "In the mornings, there is no problem at Dadar station. But late afternoon, the crowds make you scared."
Calling for crowd management at the station, Nandita Gandhi, co-director of the women's resource centre Akshara, said both highly crowded and deserted areas are places where women are most vulnerable to harassment. "What is required is a balanced crowd so that women feel safe."