CHENNAI: The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is planning on adding more members to the Pink Squad at Corridors 1 and 2 Metro stations. The CMRL has recently floated tenders inviting agencies to apply for security manpower services at the stations and for the squad for four years.
The stations that get additional security in Corridor 1 are Guindy, Little Mount, Saidapet, Nandanam, Teynampet, AG-DMS, Thousand Lights, LIC, Government Estate, High Court, Mannadi, Washermenpet, Thiyagaraya College, Tondiarpet, New Washermenpet, Toll Gate, Kaladipet, Tiruvottriyur Theradi, Tiruvottriyur, Wimco Nagar, and Wimco Nagar Depot Metro stations, and other places as per the requirement of CMRL.
In Corridor 2, the additional services will be extended to Metro stations, the CMRL depot admin building and Metro's admin building. The security services will be deployed at the Airport, Meenambakkam, St Thomas Mount, Alandur, Vadapalani, Koyambedu, Tirumangalam, Anna Nagar Tower, Egmore, and Central stations, among others.
The Metro Rail introduced the 'pink squad' in February 2024 to boost ridership and ensure women's safety. In phase 1, 23 women experts with expertise in martial arts and unarmed combat were launched at city stations. The passengers have also urged CMRL to strengthen the presence of the squad in Metro trains, especially in general coaches where women passengers also travel.
The initiative of the Pink Squad to act as a quick response team was implemented by CMRL after a women's safety survey conducted with 12,000 women travellers in June 2023. The quick response team was subsequently placed for women passengers to report any untoward incidents.