Karnataka: AI cameras to enhance passenger safety at railway stations

The South Western Railway (SWR) in coordination with RailTel Corporation of India Limited has installed a network of 943 CCTV cameras having AI technology in 79 stations. These CCTV cameras connected with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Command and Control Centre (CC Centre) in Hubballi help enhance passenger safety as well as keep a vigil on the movements of people in the railway stations.

According to SWR officials, the camera installation has been completed and more than half of them have been already connected with Hubballi CC Centre. The remaining cameras at other stations will be linked to the CC Centre shortly.

This system allows RPF staff in Hubballi to monitor the real time status of even smaller railway stations through the CCTV surveillance and alert local staff in case of any suspicious activities or safety concerns.

A few years ago, only seven major railway stations in Hubballi Division of SWR were under CCTV surveillance. Today, with the upgradation of the RPF and the modern digital surveillance panel, a total of 79 stations are being monitored through the cameras. Including halt stations, there are 123 railway stations in Hubballi Division.

All important railway stations and small stations have got a new look with the construction of new buildings and enhanced facilities and amenities. However, CCTV surveillance was there only in seven stations, including Hubballi, Dharwad, Belagavi and Hosapete railway stations.

The RPF Senior Divisional Security Commissioner Alok Kumar said even the small railway stations like Saunshi or Yalavigi can be monitored through CCTV cameras at the CC Centre in Hubballi.

The AI technology has enabled CCTV cameras to recognise faces, count passengers, and have colour scenes. They are also equipped with video analytic facilities that support more efficient monitoring of the movements of people and surveillance and security in these railway stations. In the next phase remaining railway stations will be connected with the CCTV cameras network, he noted.