**Policy Summary: Installation of CCTV Cameras in Railway Coaches**
The Ministry of Railways is undertaking an initiative to enhance passenger safety and security through the installation of CCTV cameras in railway coaches and locomotives. This initiative aims to deter crime, reduce vandalism and theft, and aid in investigations.
The plan includes equipping approximately 74,000 coaches with four CCTV cameras each (two at each entrance) and 15,000 locomotives with six CCTV cameras each (front, rear, both sides, and one in each cab along with two desk mounted microphones). The CCTV cameras will adhere to Standardization Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate standards and the latest Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) specifications, ensuring high-quality footage even at speeds exceeding 100 kmph.
As of August 6, 2025, a total of 11,535 coaches across various zonal railways have been equipped with CCTV cameras. The zonal breakdown is as follows: Central Railway (CR) - 1,320, Eastern Railway (ER) - 1,131, East Central Railway (ECR) - 437, East Coast Railway (ECoR) - 823, Northern Railway (NR) - 1,125, North Eastern Railway (NER) - 509, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) - 335, North Central Railway (NCR) - 339, North Western Railway (NWR) - 285, Southern Railway (SR) - 1,149, South Eastern Railway (SER) - 575, South Central Railway (SCR) - 753, South East Central Railway (SECR) - 280, South Western Railway (SWR) - 529, Western Railway (WR) - 1,679, and West Central Railway (WCR) - 266.
The expenditure for this initiative is currently being assessed and will be finalized upon completion of related works. The policy addresses privacy concerns by stating that cameras in coaches will be installed in common areas near the doors. The government is also exploring real-time monitoring capabilities and AI integration for future implementation, alongside measures to ensure data privacy.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Railways: The operator of the national railway system of India, responsible for implementing the CCTV camera initiative.
CCTV cameras: Closed-circuit television cameras to be installed in railway coaches and locomotives to enhance passenger safety and security.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, responsible for answering the question in Lok Sabha.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the starred question regarding CCTV installation was raised.
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for the administration of the railway system in India.
RDSO: Research Designs and Standards Organisation, responsible for setting the specifications for the CCTV cameras.
STQC Standardization Testing and Quality Certification Directorate: An attached office of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology responsible for certifying CCTV cameras.
AI integration: Artificial Intelligence integration being explored for future implementation with the CCTV camera system for real-time monitoring capabilities.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 248
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025
INSTALLATION OF CCTV CAMERAS IN RAILWAY COACHES
*248. SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO:
SHRI MANISH JAISWAL:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government/Railways proposes to install CCTV
cameras in all the railway coaches to enhance passenger safety and if
so, the details thereof;
(b) the number of coaches in various trains equipped with CCTV
cameras so far, Zone-wise;
(c) the time by which CCTV cameras will be installed in all the
coaches under the initiative;
(d) the expenditure likely to be incurred on the implementation of the
said initiative;
(e) whether installation of CCTV cameras will compromise the privacy
of passengers and if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the measures being taken to ensure real-time monitoring and data
privacy of passengers?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (f) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 248 TO BE ANSWERED ON
06.08.2025
(a) to (f) Indian Railways has decided to install CCTV cameras in
coaches and locomotives. The purpose of fitting CCTV cameras is to
improve safety and security of passengers. This step is expected to
reduce miscreant activity, vandalism, thefts, act as deterrent against
crime and aid in investigation.
CCTV cameras will be installed in approximately 74,000 coaches and
15,000 locomotives. Each coach will be provided with four CCTV
cameras - two in each entrance way. Each locomotive will have six
CCTV cameras, one camera each at the front, rear and on both sides
of the locomotive and one in each cab along with two desk mounted
microphones. CCTV cameras will be STQC (Standardization Testing
and Quality Certification Directorate, attached office of Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology) certified and as per the latest
RDSO specification. These cameras will provide high quality footage
even for trains running at speeds of 100 kmph or more.
The expenditure on CCTV cameras with the latest specification can be
assessed after finalization of all related works.
Technology upgradation is a continuous endeavor, with real-time
monitoring capabilities and AI integration being explored for future
implementation. The installation of CCTV cameras will not
compromise the privacy of the passengers as the CCTV cameras in
coaches will be installed in the common movement area near the
doors.
Contd…2/--2-
The Zone wise details of the number of coaches in various trains
equipped with CCTV cameras so far is tabulated below:
SN Zonal No. of coaches SN Zonal No. of coaches
Railways fitted with CCTV Railways fitted with CCTV
cameras cameras
1 CR 1,320 9 NWR 285
2 ER 1,131 10 SR 1,149
3 ECR 437 11 SER 575
4 ECoR 823 12 SCR 753
5 NR 1,125 13 SECR 280
6 NER 509 14 SWR 529
7 NFR 335 15 WR 1,679
8 NCR 339 16 WCR 266
Total 11,535
*****