Indian Railways is set to install CCTV cameras in all passenger coaches and locomotives nationwide, significantly boosting safety and security for travelers.
Enhanced Security on the Tracks
The Ministry of Railways has announced a major initiative to enhance passenger safety and deter miscreants: the installation of high-end CCTV cameras across its entire fleet of coaches and locomotives. This move aims to provide a more secure environment for millions of daily commuters.
This decision came after a comprehensive review meeting chaired by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The new cameras are designed to capture clear footage even at speeds of 100 kmph and in low-light conditions, ensuring effective surveillance at all times.
Strategic Placement for Safety and Privacy
To balance security with passenger privacy, these cameras will be strategically placed. In passenger coaches, four dome-type CCTV cameras will be installed, with two at each entrance side. This placement ensures coverage of common movement areas without intruding into private spaces.
Locomotives will be equipped with six CCTVs. Four will be positioned externally (front, rear, left, and right) to monitor the surroundings, while two dome cameras will be inside the loco cabin (front and rear). Additionally, each locomotive will feature two desk-mounted microphones.
Currently, modern trains like Vande Bharat, Tejas Express, and the superfast Amrit Bharat Express already feature CCTV systems. This new initiative expands that crucial safety measure to the entire network, covering over 7,400 coaches and approximately 15,000 locomotives.
The Role of Technology and AI
All cameras installed will be certified by the Standardization Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) directorate, ensuring their reliability and effectiveness. This commitment to quality is key for a robust surveillance system.
The Railways is also exploring the potential use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyze the vast amounts of data captured by these CCTVs. This collaboration with the IndiaAI mission could lead to more proactive security measures and faster identification of issues.
Successful Pilot and Rollout Plans
A successful trial run for the project was conducted in certain coaches and locomotives within the Northern Railway zone, specifically by its Delhi division. This trial helped optimize the camera placement, reducing the number of cameras per coach end from three to two while still ensuring complete coverage of all four doors.
Following the successful trial, the Railway Board approved this optimized configuration for nationwide implementation. Northern Railway has already made significant progress, having installed CCTVs in 6,139 coaches, including LHB, ICF, and EMU/MEMU/DEMU coaches.
Tenders for the installation across the remaining fleet were floated on July 11. Three Northern Railway workshops—Jagadhri, Alambagh, and Charbagh—will be responsible for carrying out the extensive installation work on different types of coaches.
- CCTV cameras will be installed in all 7,400+ passenger coaches and 15,000 locomotives.
- Cameras will be placed in common areas near doors to respect passenger privacy.
- High-quality cameras will provide clear footage at speed and in low light.
- The Railways plans to explore AI integration for data analysis.
- A successful trial run optimized camera placement for efficient coverage.
This widespread implementation of CCTV technology marks a significant leap forward in ensuring a safer and more secure travel experience for all railway passengers.
