The surveillance system includes 2,784 high-definition cameras strategically installed across platforms, waiting areas, and other public spaces
South Western Railway (SWR) has introduced India’s first Converged Communication System (CCS), marking a major milestone in the modernisation of the country’s railway network. The USD 6.6 million initiative aims to bring together voice, video, and data services under a single, unified platform, improving operational efficiency and boosting passenger safety.
The CCS is designed to provide secure and uninterrupted communication across trains, railway stations, and central operational hubs. A key component of the project is the implementation of a comprehensive Video Surveillance System (VSS), which has now been deployed across 228 railway stations nationwide. Of these, 14 A and B category stations were upgraded using the Nirbhaya Fund, while the remaining 214 stations received funding through direct capital investment.
The surveillance system includes 2,784 high-definition cameras strategically installed across platforms, waiting areas, and other public spaces. These consist of Full HD Bullet, Dome, Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ), and 4K Ultra HD cameras. The entire network is integrated and monitored through state-of-the-art Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCC), which centralise surveillance operations and enable rapid response in case of emergencies.
A significant part of this transition is the phasing out of the older Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) technology. The new system allows for improved bandwidth utilisation, dynamic routing, and supports the increasing data demands of modern railway operations.
Artificial intelligence capabilities have been added to the CCTV infrastructure, allowing the system to detect suspicious movement, lighting anomalies, specific colour patterns such as a person wearing red, and emergencies like falls or prolonged loitering. This AI-enabled surveillance provides an additional layer of proactive monitoring, further enhancing passenger safety.
The Mysuru Division has emerged as a frontrunner in this deployment. It has completed CCTV installation across 31 stations in southern India, and established its own Integrated Command and Control Centre as well as a Divisional Network Operations Centre. The division has also rolled out a VoIP-based Train Control Communication System (TCCS), now fully operational across 71 stations.
Security audits have been completed in key stations, including Mysuru, Pandavapura, and Mandya, underscoring the project’s operational readiness. According to SWR, the implementation across the Mysuru Division has now been finalised.
With the early success seen in Mysuru, Indian Railways expects to complete the zone-wide implementation of CCS across the entire network by September 2025. The integrated communication and surveillance platform is expected to become a foundational part of India’s railway infrastructure, supporting future growth and improving both efficiency and passenger experience.
