Indian Railways to Install CCTV Cameras in All Coaches to Boost Safety

Following the successful trial of CCTV cameras in passenger coaches, Indian Railways has decided to install CCTV cameras across all coaches to enhance passenger safety. The initiative aims to deter miscreants and organized gangs that often target unsuspecting passengers.

To ensure privacy, the CCTV cameras will be installed only in common movement areas near the coach doors and not in private spaces. This strategic placement will help in monitoring without intruding on personal privacy.

Union Minister for Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Railways Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu recently reviewed the progress of CCTV installation in coaches and locomotives, reaffirming the government's commitment to safer and more secure rail travel.

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The railway officials informed that successful trials have been done in the loco engines and coaches of the Northern Railway. The Union Minister for Railways gave the go ahead to install CCTV cameras in all 74,000 coaches and 15,000 locos. Each railway coach will be covered with 4 dome type CCTV cameras - 2 in each entrance way and each locomotive will have 6 CCTV cameras. This will include 1 camera each at the front, rear and on both sides of the locomotive. Each cab (front and rear) of a loco will be fitted with 1 dome CCTV camera and 2 desk mounted microphones.

Modern surveillance for modern problems

The officials shared that the CCTV cameras will have the latest specifications and will be STQC certified. The Union Minister for Railways emphasised on deploying the best-in-class equipment. He urged the railway officials to ensure that high quality footage should be available even for trains running at 100 kmph plus speeds and also under low lighting conditions. The Union Minister for Railways encouraged the officials to explore the use of AI on the data captured by CCTV cameras, in collaboration with the IndiaAI mission.

Data privacy at the core

The purpose of fitting cameras in the common movement areas of coaches is to improve safety and security of passengers. While preserving privacy, these cameras will help in identifying miscreants. The modernization efforts of Indian Railways are a reflection of its commitment towards a safe, secure, and passenger-friendly travel experience.