New Delhi: In a move to make train journeys safer than a fortress, Indian Railways has given the green light to install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras across all coaches and locomotives, ensuring that miscreants will have a tougher time dodging the law.
Indian Railways will install CCTV cameras in all 74,000 coaches and 15,000 locomotives to enhance passenger safety, following successful trials in Northern Railway coaches and locomotives. The decision was finalised during a meeting on July 12, 2025, attended by Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, and senior Railway Board officials.
Each coach will be equipped with four dome-type Closed-Circuit Television cameras, two at each entrance, covering common movement areas near the doors. Each locomotive will have six cameras—one at the front, rear, and both sides, plus one dome camera and two desk-mounted microphones in each cab, ensuring 360-degree coverage. The Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification-certified cameras will record high-quality footage at speeds above 100 kilometres per hour and in low-light conditions. Railways plans to integrate Artificial Intelligence with the India Artificial Intelligence mission to analyse the footage for improved monitoring.
The installation of cameras aims to enhance passenger safety and security by monitoring common areas while maintaining privacy. This initiative is part of Indian Railways’ commitment to providing a safe and passenger-friendly travel experience. The project addresses concerns about incidents involving miscreants and organised gangs, which have been reported on some train routes, by enabling real-time surveillance and evidence collection.
The Railway Board has outlined a phased implementation plan to complete the installation across all coaches and locomotives within the next three years. A dedicated team will oversee the project, ensuring compliance with technical standards and timely execution. The cameras will be linked to a centralised monitoring system at major railway stations, allowing authorities to respond promptly to any incidents. Regular maintenance schedules will ensure the cameras remain operational, with data stored securely for a specified period to assist in investigations if needed.
To support this initiative, Indian Railways is collaborating with technology firms to procure and install the equipment. The project also includes training programs for railway staff to manage the surveillance systems effectively. Shri Vaishnaw emphasised the importance of leveraging local manufacturing capabilities to produce the cameras, aligning with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. This move is expected to create jobs and boost the domestic technology sector while enhancing the safety infrastructure of the railway network.
The Closed-Circuit Television installation will cover all train types, including suburban, mail, express, and premium services like Vande Bharat, ensuring uniform safety standards across the network. A pilot phase will prioritise high-traffic routes and trains with reported safety concerns, with feedback from passengers and staff used to refine the system before full-scale deployment. The Railway Board has allocated funds for the project, with tenders already issued for camera procurement and installation.
The focus on safety doesn’t come at the cost of privacy. By sticking cameras in common areas, Indian Railways is striking a fine balance, keeping an eye on the naughty without turning train compartments into Big Brother’s playground. Indian Railways will establish a protocol for handling Closed-Circuit Television footage, including access controls to protect passenger data. A grievance redressal mechanism will allow passengers to report concerns related to safety or privacy, ensuring transparency in the system’s operation. The initiative reflects Indian Railways’ response to growing passenger expectations for secure travel, building on existing modernisation efforts like station upgrades and improved ticketing systems.
The project will involve coordination with state and central law enforcement agencies to ensure effective use of Closed-Circuit Television footage in addressing criminal activities on trains. Regular audits will be conducted to assess the system’s performance and address any technical or operational challenges. Indian Railways aims to complete the initial phase of installations in key zones by mid-2026, with progress reports to be submitted to the Railway Board quarterly.
– global bihari bureau
