Freedom from fear for female commuters is undermined by faulty infrastructure, a new report suggests, revealing that between 300 and 500 CCTV cameras inside Delhi Metro trains were non-functional every year between 2020 and 2024
The safety infrastructure of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)—a lifeline for millions of commuters—is under scrutiny after an investigation revealed hundreds of in-train surveillance cameras were non-functional each year, even as cases of sexual harassment increased.
Data obtained through Right to Information (RTI) requests by researchers shows a persistent flaw in security monitoring within the trains themselves, raising urgent questions about the DMRC’s readiness to protect passengers.
Surveillance Failures Highlighted
Responses from the DMRC revealed a significant number of faulty cameras: 479 in-train cameras were reported as non-functional in 2020, rising to 503 in 2022, and still totalling 406 in 2024.
Despite DMRC assurances that trains undergo regular inspection, this consistent failure rate has emerged alongside worrying figures regarding passenger safety.
The Delhi Police Metro Unit reported 90 cases of sexual assault and harassment against women registered between 2020 and 2024. These cases included four instances of rape, 68 of molestation, and 11 of eve-teasing.
Crucially, in its response, the police unit stated that “no case has been reported through CCTV cameras in Metro Unit, Delhi.” This statistic suggests that either the non-functional cameras are hindering proactive reporting, or the reliance on camera footage for identifying incidents is proving ineffective.
‘Between Stations’ Report
The data was gathered for a women’s safety report, ‘Between Stations’, which was recently launched at the HAQ Summit 2025 in New Delhi. The report is based on an analysis of the RTI responses, extensive spot checks at 18 high-footfall stations, and interviews with around 70 women commuters.
“This year’s theme focuses on public safety and accessibility for women, reimagining how cities can become spaces of freedom, not fear,” said Aanya Wig, founder of the NGO, Her Haq, which commissioned the study.
The report covers a range of stations—from major interchange hubs like Rajiv Chowk and Kashmere Gate to suburban stops—aiming to capture the full spectrum of commuter experience.
Among its key findings, the report calls for a systemic overhaul of safety protocols:
Mandatory Safety Audits: Calling for quarterly internal and annual external safety audits involving the CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) and Delhi Police Metro Unit teams.
Instant Reporting: Implementing a QR code-based complaint system that allows commuters to instantly alert control rooms.
Infrastructure Fixes: Auditing and improving lighting and last-mile connectivity around Metro stations, and ensuring better deployment of women staff across all operating hours.
The report concludes by urging the DMRC to make both safety audit findings and aggregated incident data public, arguing that transparency is necessary to build greater public accountability and enhance citizen trust in the city’s essential transit system.
