Mumbai: CR focussed on strengthening womens’ security on trains

The talkback system which will be installed in all ladies compartments of 151 CR trains; (right) The CR feels the installation of CCTV cameras will also strengthen the safety measures for women passengers

The Central Railway announced on Monday that they will install closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) in more ladies' coaches of Mumbai local trains. They have already been installed in 205 ladies' coaches. A talkback mechanism will also be installed in all ladies' compartments of 151 trains, for which purchase order has been placed. The talkback mechanism is presently installed in 80 local trains' rakes on the CR.

"This financial year 2023-2024, Central Railway plans to install CCTVs in 589 coaches of Mumbai suburban trains. The closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) are already installed in 205 coaches of Mumbai suburban trains. At present the work is on in 39 ladies coaches. These cameras with enhanced safety features including Infrared (IR) vision for women passengers will be a deterrence for crime against women and help in investigation in criminal cases. The recently installed CCTVs also have live streaming," CR Chief Public Relations Officer Dr Shivraj Manaspure said.

"The talkback system facility will enable women passengers to speak to the guard during an emergency. The system features a button that needs to be pressed to talk to the guard (the one who mans the cabin on the non-driving end of the train) via an inbuilt microphone. There is another talkback system that lets the guard reply and alert the motorman," Manaspure added. The Railways plans to install the systems in all women's compartments in their suburban fleet over the next two years. "The installation of CCTV cameras and talkback system in ladies coaches will strengthen the safety and security measures for women passengers," he added.