- By Akansha Pandey
- Tue, 07 Oct 2025 03:40 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
To bolster passenger safety and deter criminal activities such as stone-pelting, the North Eastern Railway (NER) is launching a comprehensive surveillance initiative. The plan involves installing CCTV cameras not only in railway stations and trains but also along railway lines to monitor all activities.
The railway administration has issued a tender for the installation of CCTV cameras in 372 electric locomotives and 2,000 coaches, with a target to complete the project within the current financial year.
Camera Distribution And Functionality
Locomotives: Each of the 372 electric locomotives will be fitted with six cameras. Two will be placed inside the driver's cab, one camera each will monitor the tracks from the front and rear, and two high-capacity cameras will be installed on the sides to watch for any nearby movement.
Coaches: General (ordinary) coaches will be equipped with six CCTV cameras each, while reserved coaches (air-conditioned and sleeper) will have four cameras each.
This extensive camera network will be directly connected to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) control room, enabling real-time monitoring and facilitating swift action against crimes like theft, snatching, drugging and robbery, thereby making journeys safer for passengers.
Broader Implementation And Existing Measures
This initiative is part of a larger plan by the Indian Railways. The Railway Board has prepared a proposal to install cameras in over 11,000 coaches across the country in the current financial year, with the goal of equipping all passenger train coaches within the next two years.
Currently, new locomotives and coaches are being delivered with pre-installed CCTV systems. The process of retrofitting older rolling stock is also being accelerated. On the North Eastern Railway, trains such as the Gorakhpur-Anand Vihar AC Humsafar and the Vande Bharat Express are already equipped with cameras, and Gorakhpur Junction station has 62 cameras in operation.
Additional Safety Enhancements
To further improve security, especially for women, all newly manufactured coaches are now required to have panic buttons. These buttons, which will also be linked to a mobile app, will allow passengers to instantly alert the driver and security personnel in an emergency. Furthermore, work is underway to develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based surveillance system to proactively identify suspicious activities.
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Pankaj Kumar Singh, Chief Public Relations Officer for North Eastern Railway, stated, "The safety and security of passengers is a top priority for the railways. To strengthen this, a significant step has been taken to install cameras in all coaches and locomotives, and the process for this has been initiated. Once installed, the security arrangements will become more effective."