CCTV cameras to be fixed in 74,000 coaches: Railways

Following the experimental installation of CCTV cameras in passenger coaches in the Northern Railways, the Indian Railways has decided to install CCTV cameras in all of its approximately 74,000 coaches across the countrywide rail network, officials of the Union Ministry of Railways said on Sunday (July 13, 2025).

“This move will significantly improve passenger safety. Miscreants and organised gangs take advantage of gullible passengers. With cameras, such incidents will reduce significantly. To preserve the privacy of passengers, CCTV cameras will be installed in the common movement area near the doors,” officials said.

The decision was taken on July 12 when Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the progress in installing CCTV cameras in locomotives and coaches. The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Railway Board.

Complete coverage

Each railway coach will be covered by four dome-type CCTV cameras, with two of them placed in each entrance way.

Each locomotive will have six CCTV cameras. This will include one camera each at the front and rear, and on both sides of the locomotive. Each cab (front and rear) of a loco will be fitted with one dome CCTV camera and two desk-mounted microphones, officials said.

‘High speed, low light’

The CCTV cameras will have the latest specifications and will undergo Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) by the Union Ministry of Electronics and IT. High-quality footage should be available even for trains running at speeds over 100 kmph, and in low-light conditions, Mr. Vaishnaw told Railway officials, asking them to explore the use of AI on the data captured by the CCTV cameras, in collaboration with the IndiaAI Mission.