New Delhi, July 13, 2025 — In a major step towards enhancing passenger safety and modernising train surveillance, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu have approved the installation of CCTV cameras in all railway coaches and locomotives across the country. The decision was made during a high-level review meeting held on Saturday, July 12, with senior Railway Board officials.
Pan-India Rollout for Surveillance Upgrade
Following successful trials in Northern Railway, the project will now be expanded to cover all 74,000 railway coaches and 15,000 locomotive engines. Each coach will be equipped with 4 dome-type CCTV cameras—two at each entry point—while each locomotive will house 6 CCTV cameras, covering the front, rear, and both sides of the engine.
Additionally, locomotive cabs (both front and rear) will be equipped with one dome camera each and two desk-mounted microphones for enhanced audio-visual monitoring.
Advanced Technology and AI Integration
Railway officials confirmed that the cameras will be STQC-certified and built to deliver high-resolution footage even at speeds above 100 kmph and in low-light conditions.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also encouraged officials to explore AI integration in collaboration with the IndiaAI Mission, allowing for smarter analysis of surveillance data to detect anomalies or threats in real-time.
Balancing Security with Privacy
While the initiative aims to bolster safety and deter criminal activity, officials stressed that passenger privacy will remain a top priority. Cameras will be installed only in common movement areas, ensuring no intrusion into private spaces.
“This initiative reflects Indian Railways’ commitment to creating a safe, secure, and passenger-friendly travel experience,” said the Railway Minister.
A Modern Step Towards Safer Rail Travel
The rollout of CCTV cameras is part of Indian Railways’ broader modernisation drive, aimed at upgrading infrastructure and leveraging technology for better service delivery.
By combining 360-degree visual coverage with cutting-edge technology, Indian Railways is taking a significant leap toward ensuring real-time monitoring, miscreant identification, and overall passenger security during travel.
