To ensure passenger privacy, the CCTV units will be placed in common areas such as entryways near the doors, avoiding private compartments.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, has green-lit a nationwide plan to install CCTV cameras across 74,000 train coaches and 15,000 locomotives, marking one of the largest public transport surveillance initiatives globally.
The move follows positive feedback from initial trials conducted in select Northern Railway coaches. Railway authorities confirmed that the installation process was reviewed during a high-level meeting held in New Delhi on 12 July, attended by Vaishnaw and Ravneet Singh Bittu, Minister of State for Railways.
To ensure passenger privacy, the CCTV units will be placed in common areas such as entryways near the doors, avoiding private compartments. Each coach will feature four dome-type cameras, with two at each entrance, while locomotives will be equipped with six cameras covering the front, rear, and sides. Additional cameras and microphones will be installed at cab ends to enhance operational monitoring.
The equipment will adhere to specifications certified by the Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification Directorate, with Railways assuring that footage quality will remain high even at speeds exceeding 100 kmph and under low lighting conditions.
Vaishnaw also directed officials to explore integration with artificial intelligence platforms under the IndiaAI mission, aiming to enhance real-time monitoring and predictive safety features. The emphasis on deploying best-in-class surveillance technology reflects Indian Railways’ growing shift toward smarter, safer mobility solutions.