Under the current plan, six cameras will be installed in each coach and four cameras in each locomotive
In a major initiative to enhance safety across the Indian rail network, Indian Railways has announced plans to install approximately 75,000 Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered CCTV cameras in all coaches and locomotives. The project, aimed at improving surveillance and security, is estimated to cost Rs 15,000 crores.
According to the finalized plan, 40,000 coaches, 14,000 locomotives, and 6,000 Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) will be equipped with AI-enabled CCTV cameras. The tender for this high-value project is expected to be floated in October 2024.
The Railways is also considering the integration of cutting-edge technologies, including Lidar— a laser-based method for detecting and measuring distances— along with the AI-based CCTV cameras in locomotives. This move is part of a broader effort to curb incidents such as derailments, which have raised serious safety concerns in recent times.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and senior officials have been actively involved in discussions to finalize the specifications for the AI-enabled cameras to be installed in locomotives. The initiative is designed to improve detection capabilities and alert drivers to potential dangers on the tracks.
“We are also exploring the possibility of linking the AI-powered cameras with the emergency braking system in case of unforeseen situations,” a senior Railway official said.
Under the current plan, six cameras will be installed in each coach and four cameras in each locomotive. The two frontal high-resolution cameras in the locomotive will help the driver detect any suspicious objects on the tracks, such as animals, debris, or foreign objects, and send an alert to apply emergency brakes. The AI will process images to determine whether the object is stationary or moving, enabling the driver to respond more effectively.
Indian Railways has already covered all major stations with high-resolution CCTV cameras, and this latest move will bring most of the rolling stock— excluding wagons— under a comprehensive surveillance system. Wagons are being separately equipped with RFID systems to monitor their movement.
A senior railway official emphasized the significance of this project: “The AI-based CCTV cameras in coaches and locomotives will be a major boost for the Railway’s safety mechanism.” The challenge, however, remains the long stopping distance for trains, which often require more than a kilometer to come to a halt after applying emergency brakes.
The decision to ramp up safety measures follows a spate of incidents involving foreign objects being placed on tracks, raising alarms among railway officials. In a recent incident, 22 coaches of the Sabarmati Express were saved from a potential disaster when loco pilot A.P. Bundela, 57, spotted an old rail piece on the tracks and applied the emergency brakes. His swift action prevented a major accident involving 1,727 passengers. Similar cases of sabotage have prompted railway officials to intensify patrolling in sensitive areas.
To speed up the execution of this safety project, Indian Railways plans to award contracts to multiple vendors within the next 12 months, ensuring that the implementation is timely and efficient.
This large-scale initiative underscores the Railways’ commitment to adopting advanced technology to secure its vast and complex network, keeping millions of passengers safe while maintaining the integrity of its operations.
