Chennai, Aug 12 - Home Minister P.Chidambaram Wednesday assured the nation that all security measures have been taken to ensure that the Independence Day passes peacefully.

He told reporters after flagging off three special trains for women here Wednesday: 'All the states have been alerted in advance. We will ensure the Independence Day (Aug 15) passes off peacefully.'

Speaking at the function, Chidambaram said he was confident that the Women's Reservation Bill would be passed in parliament by this year end.

The long pending bill provides 33 percent reservation for women in parliament and state legislatures and is being opposed by some political parties.

He said the government had chalked out programmes for the welfare of different sections in the society with special focus on youth and women, and the women's special trains just proved that.

The introduction of the special train services was announced by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee when she presented the rail budget. She had also announced special trains for the youth.

The trains for women had been launched in Mumbai and Kolkata earlier.