New Delhi: Indian Railways (IR) has decided to install CCTV cameras in all train coaches in a bid to increase passenger safety and security. This decision is based on the positive outcome of experimental installation of CCTV cameras in passenger coaches, IR has said.
“Miscreants and organised gangs take advantage of gullible passengers. With surveillance cameras, such incidents will significantly reduce. To preserve privacy of passengers, CCTV cameras will be installed in the common movement area near the doors,” a statement released by IR says.
Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the minister of state Ravneet Singh Bittu reviewed the progress of CCTV camera installation in locomotives and coaches of trains under Northern Railway during a meeting on Saturday. Senior officials of the Railway Board were also present.
After reviewing the progress, Vaishnaw gave the go ahead to install CCTV cameras in all 74,000 coaches and 15,000 locomotives.
“Every coach will be covered with 4 dome type CCTV cameras, two at each entrance, while locomotives will have six CCTV cameras. This will include a camera each on the front, rear and on both sides of the locomotive. Each cab (front and rear) of a loco will be fitted with a dome CCTV camera and two desk mounted microphones,” the statement says.
The officials shared that the CCTV cameras will have the latest specifications and be STQC certified. The minister emphasised on deploying the best-in-class equipment. He urged officials to ensure the availability of high-quality footage, even for trains running at speeds of over 100 kmph and under low-light conditions. Vaishnaw also encouraged officials to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on data captured by CCTV cameras, in collaboration with the IndiaAI Mission.
“The purpose of fitting cameras in the common movement areas of coaches is to improve safety and security of passengers. While preserving passenger 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,” the statement added.
