In a major push towards enhancing passenger safety and modernising railway infrastructure, Indian Railways has announced the installation of CCTV cameras across its entire fleet of 74,000 coaches and 15,000 locomotives. The decision follows successful trial runs and will enable 360-degree surveillance aimed at preventing crime and safeguarding passengers, particularly in vulnerable zones.
The announcement came after a high-level review meeting chaired by Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh Bittu, on July 12, 2025. Senior officials from the Railway Board and Northern Railway were present at the meeting, where the ministers took stock of the progress and endorsed the nationwide rollout.
Comprehensive Surveillance for Safer Travel
As per the plan, each railway coach will be fitted with four dome-type CCTV cameras—two at each entrance area. Locomotives will be equipped with six cameras, including one each on the front, rear, and both sides of the engine. Additionally, each driver cab (front and rear) will house a dome camera and two desk-mounted microphones to ensure continuous monitoring and audio recording.
Officials confirmed that the cameras used will meet the latest technical standards and be STQC certified. The system is designed to deliver high-definition footage, even in low-light conditions and when trains are operating at high speeds, exceeding 100 kmph.
Protecting Privacy While Enhancing Security
While the installation of surveillance systems is aimed at deterring miscreants and organised crime on trains, Indian Railways has assured that passenger privacy will remain a priority. Cameras will only be placed in common movement areas near the doors, ensuring no intrusion into private spaces.
“Miscreants often exploit the lack of surveillance in trains to target unsuspecting passengers. The installation of CCTV cameras will significantly reduce such incidents and improve our response mechanism,” said a senior Railway Board official.
Leveraging AI for Smarter Security
Minister Vaishnaw also encouraged officials to explore the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the new surveillance infrastructure. In collaboration with the IndiaAI mission, Railways is looking to deploy intelligent systems capable of analysing CCTV footage for real-time threat detection, crowd analysis, and predictive safety measures.
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A Step Towards Safer, Smarter Rail Travel
The initiative is part of Indian Railways’ broader vision to transform train travel into a more secure, tech-enabled experience. By embracing modern surveillance technology, the national transporter aims to strengthen public trust and deter criminal activity across its network. Indian Railways’ commitment to safe, secure, and passenger-friendly journeys continues to evolve with each modernization effort—this latest move stands as a testament to that resolve.
About IRCTC
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation is an Indian public sector undertaking that provides ticketing, catering, and tourism services for the state-owned Indian Railways. It was established in 1999 by the Government of India and operated under the administrative control of the Ministry of Railways.
