The railway administration has stated that local trains have separate compartments for women.

The helpline is aimed at providing safety and security to women travellers who can call up the mobile phone number 9503013705. They can also use it if men or boys above the age of 10 travel by the women's compartment.

"Railway Protection Force personnel are deployed at main stations along the Pune-Lonavla track. These persons will act immediately after registration of a request," said a railway official.

"The administration has already put up the number at prominent spots at the railway stations and in the bogies," added the official.

The authorities have already started a waiting room for women passengers at the railway station.

More than 80,000 commuters travel every day between Pune and Lonavla and there are around 40 trips made every day. Each local train has three ladies' compartments.

If the response to the helpline is favourable, a similar service will be started on the Pune-Daund route, said the railway official.