Noida Metro has decided to convert its station in sector 50 into a “She-Man” station. (Representative)
Noida (UP):
In a special initiative, the Noida-Greater Noida metro has decided to convert its sector 50 station into a “She-Man” station, which will have special facilities and provide jobs for the transgender community.
The decision is made by the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) for “the inclusion and meaningful participation” of members of the transgender community, said NMRC executive director Ritu Maheshwari.
Earlier in 2017, Kochi Metro Rail Limited in Kerala had taken a similar step by employing 23 transgender people, opening up new avenues in gender justice.
Ms. Maheshwari said that, according to the 2011 census, there were 4.9 lakh transgender people in India, of which 30,000 to 35,000 resided in the National Capital Region of Delhi.
“The station” She-Man “will be on the lines of Pink stations, inaugurated on March 8 this year and offering special facilities for female passengers. The personnel deployed in Pink stations was also composed entirely of women, except security personal, “she said.
“The She-Man station will cater specifically to the transgender community, although it is open to all passengers, and will provide facilities to facilitate travel by the trans community on the metro and will also offer them employment opportunities. “added the NMRC official.
She said structural changes in terms of changing the washroom infrastructure and creating a separate community security check are also being considered at the sector 50 station.
In a statement, the NMRC said it will also educate the community about its other commuters through signs at its stations and announcements inside trains and stations.
“NMRC staff will also be sensitized and trained to communicate with the transgender community in a sensitive and cordial manner,” said the statement.
The NMRC has stated that it also plans to include members of the transgender community in its system by engaging their services in various aspects of the functioning of its system, such as ATMs and other areas through deployed entrepreneurs.
“Transgender people will receive appropriate training, like other NMRC employees, before being integrated into the NMRC system,” he added.
The NMRC has also interacted with various NGOs who are working closely with the community to understand their challenges and struggles and devise an effective method for an inclusive society, the statement said.
The NMRC stated that it has “always been sensitive” to the needs of “all of its commuters” who come from diverse backgrounds and has made constant efforts to provide a safe and comfortable travel experience for all of its commuters.
“Transgender people make up a large proportion of commuters who use the metro to travel. This stage of the NMRC will make the travel experience for this community more enriching,” he added.
Also known as the “ Aqua Line ”, the Noida-Greater Noida metro, which started operating in January 2019, connects the eponymous twin cities of Gautam Buddh Nagar, covering almost 30 km at 21 stations.
