AI surveillance and cyber security initiatives are being expanded by Indian Railways to strengthen safety, monitoring and operational efficiency across train networks. (Image generated using AI)
Indian Railways safety improvements, Train safety: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday highlighted measures such as strengthening cyber security, upgrading camera specifications and deploying AI-based surveillance and monitoring systems to ensure safer train operations. Chairing a high-level security review meeting at Rail Bhawan, Vaishnaw also emphasised the need to strengthen intelligence-gathering mechanisms from the field through an improved reporting system.
The meeting comes in the wake of several reported incidents over last few days, including fire-related cases on trains and the emerging of involvement of anti-social elements during the initial probe into multiple incidents.
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“Indian Railways has taken these incidents seriously and the RPF is actively probing them. In several cases, prompt and proactive action by Railways helped avert major eventualities,” the Ministry of Railways said.
The national transporter also plans to encourage passengers to actively support efforts to curb anti-social activities during their journey and while waiting at railway station premises. “Railways has thus urged passengers to remain alert and vigilant while travelling. Any suspicious activity or suspicious person noticed on railway premises should be immediately reported on the Railway helpline number 139.
Discussions during the security review meeting focused on strengthening intelligence gathering mechanisms from the field through an improved reporting system. Emphasis was also laid on enhancing technology-driven security systems, expanding CCTV coverage across the railway network, and improving operational security coordination between Railway Board headquarters and field zones,” it added.
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On Wednesday, the Railways said that the prompt action of its personnel helped avert major disasters during the incidents at Amarpura and Howrah stations.
“In an incident involving a train fire near Amarpura station in Rajasthan, an individual attempted to set fire to the linen (bedding material), which subsequently caused the blaze.
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In Howrah, a petrol-soaked cloth was recovered from the bathroom of the train that caught fire. Similarly, in Kota, the initial flames on the Rajdhani Express also originated from the bathroom.
In Sasaram, the train and its coaches were empty; there was no power generator on board. It is highly probable that someone threw a burning object inside,’ it said.