Indian Railways to Install CCTV Cameras in All Coaches for Enhanced Passenger Safety

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): After a successful pilot project, Indian Railways has made the decision to equip all of its coaches with CCTV cameras in a major effort to improve passenger safety. The program seeks to reduce criminal activity and misbehaviour, especially that which targets unsuspecting travellers. Cameras will be positioned thoughtfully in general movement areas close to doors to protect passenger privacy.

The decision was made after a review meeting led by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav and Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, attended by senior Railway Board officials. The plan involves fitting 4 dome CCTV cameras in each of the 74,000 coaches and 6 cameras in each of the 15,000 locomotives. These cameras will provide 360-degree coverage, with additional microphones in locomotive cabs for enhanced monitoring.

The cameras will be of the latest standards, STQC-certified, and designed to capture high-quality footage even at speeds above 100 kmph and in low-light conditions. The Union Minister has emphasized the use of the best equipment and encouraged exploring the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in collaboration with IndiaAI Mission to analyze data from CCTV cameras.

This initiative reflects Indian Railways' commitment to providing a safe, secure, and passenger-friendly travel experience, while prioritizing data privacy and security. The installation of CCTV cameras is expected to significantly reduce incidents of crime and enhance the overall safety of passengers.