25 trains to be equipped with CCTV cameras

New Delhi, Apr 12: Twenty five trains will be equipped with CCTV cameras as part of the Railways' efforts to strengthen security of passengers particularly women travelers.

Vishakahaptanam Swarnajayanti Express, Purushottam Express, Prashanti Express, Kalinga Utkal Express and Tapaswini Express are among 25 trains. Surveillance cameras will be fitted in total 500 coaches in the current fiscal and all zones have been told to identify trains for the job, according to railways.

Puri-Jodhpur Express, Nandan Kanan Express, Puri-Durg Express, Vishakhapatnam - Mumbai Express are other trains identified for the CCTV facility. CCTV cameras will be installed in 500 coaches, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

He said the CCTV cameras will be installed strategically at all doors in a such way that it will not compromise the privacy of passengers instead will act as deterrent against crime.

While the guard's compartment will be provided with a LCD screen for monitoring CCTV footage in the ladies' coach for prompt action, footage of all coaches will be recorded on a portable device with a storage capacity of one month and can be retrieved by security personnel whenever required.

As per the plan, Northern Railway and East Coast Railway will have to equip 200 coaches each with CCTV, while 50 coaches will be fitted with surveillance cameras by Central Railway and 50 suburban coaches will also have this facility in phase wise.

Northern Railway has recently rolled out Shan-e-Punjab Express with CCTV facility, there were a few Mumbai suburban coaches also fitted with CCTV facility.

PTI