Railways to blanket 74,000 coaches, locos with AI-ready CCTV cameras

The project, estimated to cost between $1 billion and $1.5 billion, presents a major business opportunity for surveillance technology firms, with Bosch, Honeywell, Siemens, and Kernex Microsystems among the key players likely to benefit

In a significant step to enhance onboard security, the Indian Railways has approved a nationwide rollout of CCTV cameras across its entire fleet of approximately 74,000 passenger coaches and locomotives. The decision follows a successful pilot program in the Northern Railways zone and was finalized during a high-level review chaired by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on July 12.

The initiative aims to deter criminal activities and ensure safer travel conditions. “This move will substantially improve passenger safety by preventing incidents involving miscreants and organised gangs,” Railway Ministry officials said, adding that cameras will be installed in common areas near coach entrances to safeguard passenger privacy.

As per the plan, each passenger coach will be fitted with four dome-shaped CCTV cameras—two at each entry point—while each locomotive will have six cameras. These will include cameras at the front and rear, on both sides, and inside the cabs, along with two desk-mounted microphones in each driving compartment.

All equipment will conform to the latest technical standards and undergo certification from the Ministry of Electronics and IT’s Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) division. Cameras will be capable of capturing high-resolution footage even at speeds exceeding 100 kmph and in low-light conditions.

AI integration and surveillance push

Minister Vaishnaw has also directed officials to explore the integration of artificial intelligence into the CCTV data stream in partnership with the IndiaAI Mission, potentially enabling real-time monitoring and automated threat detection.

The project’s scale is massive, with an estimated requirement of over 3.86 lakh CCTV cameras, along with supporting infrastructure including data storage, transmission systems, command and control centres, video analytics platforms, cybersecurity tools, and long-term maintenance services.

Industry estimates peg the total project cost between $1 billion and $1.5 billion, creating a significant business opportunity for surveillance and security technology providers. Companies such as Bosch, Honeywell, Siemens, and Kernex Microsystems are among the major players expected to benefit from the procurement drive.

Also Read: Indian Railways to Install AI-Ready CCTV Cameras in All Coaches and Locomotives