Railways To Install CCTV Cameras Across Coaches
The Ministry of Railways has launched a nationwide safety initiative to install CCTV cameras in all 74,000 passenger coaches and 15,000 locomotives across the Indian Railways network. This move aims to improve passenger security, particularly during night travel and in isolated areas.
Each passenger coach will be equipped with four dome-style CCTV cameras, placed near the entry and exit points. These cameras are designed to monitor corridors and doorways without compromising passenger privacy. Locomotives, on the other hand, will have six cameras—covering the front, rear, and sides of the train exterior, as well as both the front and rear driver cabins. Microphones will also be installed on the driver’s console to capture audio for better monitoring and safety analysis.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has instructed that only high-quality, certified equipment be used, capable of recording clear footage even at high speeds and in low-light conditions. The ministry is also evaluating the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the surveillance system to identify suspicious activity in real-time and assist law enforcement in responding promptly.
Initial trials were conducted successfully in select trains in the Northern Railway zone. The tests showed that two cameras placed near the entrances of each coach could effectively cover all doorways. More than 6,000 coaches have already been fitted with the new CCTV systems.
Tenders for the large-scale rollout were issued on July 11, and the installations will take place at major railway workshops across the country. Once completed, the CCTV system will act as a strong deterrent to theft, violence, and other crimes, enhancing the overall safety and travel experience of passengers.
