New Delhi: In a major push to enhance passenger safety, Indian Railways has announced plans to install CCTV cameras in all 74,000 passenger coaches and 15,000 locomotives across the network. The decision follows successful trials and positive feedback from experimental installations in select trains.

Each coach will be equipped with four dome-type CCTV cameras, two at each entrance, while locomotives will have six cameras, including one each at the front, rear, and on both sides, along with cameras inside the driver's cabs. Two microphones will also be installed on the locomotive desks to strengthen surveillance capabilities.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu reviewed the initiative during a high-level meeting held on Saturday. Senior Railway Board officials also participated in the session, which evaluated the progress of the CCTV deployment plan.

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Officials assured that the new system will offer 360-degree high-resolution coverage, even in low-light conditions and at train speeds exceeding 100 kmph. The cameras will be STQC certified and equipped with the latest specifications. The Minister also encouraged the integration of AI-based monitoring tools in collaboration with the IndiaAI mission to strengthen real-time threat detection and analysis.

To address privacy concerns, the CCTV cameras will be limited to common movement areas near coach entrances and will not intrude into passengers’ private spaces. The authorities emphasised that the surveillance system is designed to deter criminal activity, including theft and harassment, and to improve the overall travel experience.