Cameras to keep eye on you inside Mumbai local trains

A CCTV camera installed inside a coach; (right) images from footage taken from inside a coach

You are being watched inside local trains, but for your own safety. At least 407 coaches of Mumbai local trains across Central Railway and Western Railway now have
CCTV cameras for the security of passengers.

Overall, a sum of Rs 357 crore has been sanctioned for installation of the CCTV camera system in coaches of various trains, including locals.

It was Western Railway that first began installing cameras on local trains a few years ago, and the process has now gained momentum. The system stores data in a digital video recorder which has the capacity to record for 30 days. The data will be used by the RPF and the police to ensure the safety of women commuters.

Customised cameras

With 3 megapixel and wide angles to cover, the cameras have been customised to withstand shock and vibrations as trains on the suburban section often clock 80 kmph-100 kmph.

The figures of Mumbai local trains were stated by Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply in the Parliament on Wednesday. "So far CCTV cameras have already been provided in 4,141 coaches overall," he said.

He said 203 coaches of Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains, commonly called as local trains, on Central Railway and 204 coaches of EMU trains on Western Railway have been provided with CCTV coaches, taking the total number to 407. This is so far the largest number of local trains in the country to get CCTV cover.

CCTV at stations

At railway stations, too, there are four types of IP-based cameras (dome type, bullet types, pan tilt zoom type and ultra HD- 4k) to ensure maximum coverage inside. These CCTVs are being networked on optical fiber cable and the video feed of the CCTV cameras is being displayed not only at local RPF posts but also at a centralised CCTV control room at divisional and zonal level.