By Arun Kumar Das
New Delhi, Jul 14 (BVI): Based on the positive outcome of experimental installation of CCTV cameras in passenger coaches, Railways has decided to install CCTV cameras in all coaches to enhance passengers’ safety.
The move envisages installation of CCTV cameras in about 50,000 coaches in the Railways.
This move will significantly improve passenger safety. Miscreants and organised gangs take advantage of gullible passengers. With cameras, such incidents will significantly reduce.
To preserve privacy of passengers, CCTV cameras will be installed in the common movement area near the doors. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu reviewed the progress of CCTV Cameras’ installation in locomotives and coaches.
The meeting held on Saturday 12th July, 2025 was attended by the senior officials of the Railway Board.
The railways officials informed that successful trials have been done in the loco engines and coaches of the Northern Railway.
Vaishnaw 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.
The officials shared that the CCTV cameras will have the latest specifications and will be STQC certified.
Vaishnaw 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. He encouraged the officials to explore the use of AI on the 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 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.
