Railways to Install CCTV Cameras in All Coaches and Locomotives to Boost Safety

New Delhi:

In a significant move to enhance passenger safety and security, the Indian Railways has announced plans to install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in all 74,000 coaches and 15,000 locomotives. The decision comes after successful trials were conducted on Northern Railway routes, and aims to deter crime, protect passengers, and strengthen surveillance across the rail network.

The initiative was approved following a high level review meeting held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, attended by Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu. Senior officials of the Railway Board also participated in the session, during which the ministers evaluated the ongoing CCTV installation efforts.

Each coach will be equipped with four dome type CCTV cameras. Two on each entrance, ensuring full coverage of the common movement areas while maintaining the privacy of passengers. Similarly, each locomotive will have six cameras: one each at the front, rear, and both sides, as well as a dome camera and two desk mounted microphones in the front and rear cabins. The setup is designed to offer 360 degree surveillance for improved monitoring and incident response.

Officials confirmed that the CCTV systems to be deployed will be of high technical standards and STQC (Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification) certified. The Minister for Railways directed the technical team to ensure that video footage remains of high quality even when trains are running at speeds exceeding 100 kilometres per hour or in low light conditions. He further encouraged the exploration of artificial intelligence to analyse the CCTV data under the IndiaAI mission.

“The focus is on improving safety while respecting passenger privacy,” an official from the Railway Board said. “The cameras will be installed in non intrusive areas and will only monitor entry and movement zones inside the coaches.”

Railway authorities noted that the presence of CCTV cameras would help deter miscreants and organised gangs that often take advantage of unsuspecting passengers. With the new surveillance infrastructure, such incidents are expected to reduce significantly, and the authorities will be able to identify offenders more efficiently.

The initiative aligns with Indian Railways’ broader commitment to modernisation and passenger centric service. Emphasising safety as a core element, the Railways aims to offer a secure and seamless travel experience. The deployment of CCTV systems in all coaches and locomotives is part of this ongoing transformation.

With this move, Indian Railways takes a firm step towards establishing a secure environment on trains while upholding technological advancement and public accountability.