Keeping in mind the sensitivities of children, the Indian Railways are keen to provide child-friendly spaces at all important and major stations in the country. The first such zone has come up in Karnataka’s Krantivira Sangoli Rayanna (KSR) railway station at Bengaluru over the weekend.

The zone appropriately called “Kushi Hub” is located on Platform 1 and is spread over 600 sq. feet and it will provide a safe place for those children who have been lost and those found during child trafficking.

Besides making the ambience of the place child-friendly with the walls painted in themes that kids are familiar with, the place has toys, books, pantry, toilets and good seating and resting arrangements. According to an official, “the key objective behind it is to provide a positive environment and healthy space for children which would make them feel at home and open up about the troubles they are facing.”

The place was handed over by railway authorities to the Railway Protection Force’s anti-trafficking unit, Nanhe Farishtey. NGOs like Child Line India and International Justice Mission to ensure that it is safe for children.

There are CCTV cameras for 24×7 monitoring while staff will be present there 24 hours to help children.

Speaking to the media, Alok Kumar, Inspector General and Principal Chief Security Commissioner, RPF, South Western Railway said: “It will mark SWR’s first dedicated space for counselling children rescued by RPF, including victims of child trafficking. It is a great initiative for providing psycho-social support and counselling to children in need of care and protection who come in contact with Railways.”

Before this the rescued children were taken to the station master’s room or some other spare room which could not put them at ease.

Also read: Bengaluru station to sell GI tagged Channapatna toys and dolls