Central Railway to install CCTV cameras in Mumbai local trains

Suburban rail commuters may soon get hi-tech security on local trains. The Central Railway (CR) is actively considering installation of closed-circuit television cameras in all compartments of its Electrical Multiple Units.

A Denmark-based firm, Focon, has been asked to provide a demonstration of the system mid-January. If techno-economic feasibility of the project is established, CR will mount 'two CCTV cameras in every coach of 12-car and 9-car rakes'. "The concept, though at a nascent stage, has the promise to transform the security in moving trains across the country," said CR's GM Subodh Jain.

The surveillance system, an official said, will be 'advanced traction worthy', meaning it will be able to withstand shock and vibration. The cameras will send live feed to a control room by GSM and GPRS technologies. In emergency, a commuter can call up the listed helpline and provide details like the local's destination and departure time. "Based on the info, the coach can be identified and its details fed into the system. After this, live images from the compartment will flash by Ethernet architecture into the control room," said an official.

A security official added, "The images can help us alert motormen and guards, besides rushing security personnel to handle emergencies."

Ashok Joshi, director (marketing) of Cosmos Energy, who is interacting with CR on behalf of Focon said, "The live feed can help identify accused people, suspicious objects and prevent vandalism and theft." He added that a passenger interface speaker can be installed in coaches to help commuters communicate with guards in emergency.

No financial burden will fall on CR as the firm, which has proposed to provide these features, will be allowed to earn revenue by installing display screens with passenger infotainment systems. "The screen will flash news, train status, ads," Joshi said. "The installation can be completed within a month once the financial viability is established."