Railways to instal CCTV cameras in all 74,000 coaches, 15,000 locos
IN order to improve the safety of passengers, the Ministry of Railways on Sunday announced its plan to instal CCTV cameras in all passenger and locomotive coaches.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has given the go-ahead to install CCTV cameras in all 74,000 coaches and 15,000 locos.
The decision to install CCTV cameras in all coaches has been taken after a ‘positive response’ to a trial conducted in the loco engines and coaches of the Northern Railway.
Railways added that the installation of cameras aims to significantly reduce the incidents where miscreants and organised gangs take advantage of gullible passengers.
“Based on the positive outcome of experimental installation of CCTV cameras in passenger coaches, Railways has decided to install CCTV cameras in all coaches. This move will significantly improve passenger safety,” said the Ministry of Railways in the official statement.
Key Things to Know
In a meeting held on Saturday, 12 July 2025, the Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and the Union Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh Bittu, reviewed the progress of installing CCTV cameras in locomotives and coaches.
Indian Railways' plan involves covering each railway coach with four dome-type CCTV cameras, two in each entrance way, and six cameras in every locomotive.
The CCTV installation plan for locomotives also involves one camera at the front, rear, and on both sides of the locomotive.
Each locomotive cab (front and rear) will have one dome CCTV camera and two desk-mounted microphones.
According to the Ministry of Railways, the CCTV cameras will have the latest specifications and will be STQC certified.
The Ministry has also asked the Railway officials to ensure that high-quality footage of the train, even at 100 kmph speed, and even under low-light conditions.
Railway officials are urged to explore using AI to analyse CCTV camera data in collaboration with the IndiaAI mission.
Data Privacy Concerns
The Indian Railways also clarified that in efforts to preserve the privacy of passengers, the CCTV cameras will be installed in the common movement areas and near the doors.
“The purpose of fitting cameras in the common movement areas of coaches is to improve safety and security of passengers,” said the Ministry of Railways, focusing on data privacy being at the core of this CCTV initiative.
Indian Railways aims that these CCTV cameras will help in identifying the miscreants and add to the modernisation efforts within the system.
“The modernisation efforts of Indian Railways are a reflection of its commitment towards a safe, secure, and passenger-friendly travel experience,” said the Ministry of Railways.
