In response to the ongoing incidents of placing stones, explosives, and cylinders on railway tracks, the Ministry of Railways has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative. The railways will now equip engines and coaches with advanced cameras. These will be strategically placed at the front and sides of the engines, as well as the sides of the coaches and guard coaches. Each train will be fortified with a total of 8 cameras, providing comprehensive surveillance over the tracks and their surroundings. This installation process is expected to commence in three months and be fully operational within a year, costing approximately ₹1200 crore. The Ministry of Railways is also in communication with the Chief Secretaries and DGPs of all states to expedite control over these hazardous incidents.
Amidst increasing railway accidents, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the need to ensure passenger safety. He announced a significant decision to bolster the railway track security system. According to him, Indian Railways will incorporate AI-driven CCTV cameras in trains. In addition to coaches, cameras will also be installed in locomotive engines to alert the loco-pilots of any imminent danger.
On Tuesday, Vaishnaw asserted that these cameras will detect suspicious objects on the tracks and prompt drivers to apply emergency brakes. The objective is to equip 40,000 coaches, 14,000 engines, and 6,000 EMUs with AI-enabled CCTV cameras.
Such occurrences are not confined to specific cities or states; they have been observed from Uttar Pradesh to Odisha and Telangana to Madhya Pradesh.
