Railway Protection Force steps up video surveillance on basic coaches

Amid rising issues over crimes on board trains, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has intensified surveillance and measures to handle overcrowding. The police have begun recording movies of passengers on basic coaches as a step to forestall crimes and establish suspects if any offences are reported.

The RPF have been recording movies from basic coaches for a couple of month following an order from higher-ups within the Southern Railway, an official stated. “The main goal of the transfer is to discourage individuals who board trains with felony intentions from committing offences. It is predicted that such people will abandon their malicious plans as soon as they turn into conscious that they’re being watched. The variety of offences has come down since we put in place this surveillance measure. Video surveillance additionally prompts passengers to be extra alert to potential risks,” the official added.

The movies additionally assist establish history-sheeters and traditional suspects, because the footage is shared in WhatsApp teams of officers and squad members. The movies, largely shot on tablets and cell phones, are retained for just a few days. “Crimes on board a prepare are often reported inside two to a few days, so there isn’t a have to maintain the footage for an extended interval,” the official stated.

The RPF initially recorded movies of passengers typically coaches on a random foundation, however after discovering the follow efficient in stopping crimes, it was expanded and intensified throughout the Southern Railway. Along with this, RPF squads have additionally been advising passengers in each basic coaches and reserved compartments to maintain their valuables safe.

The RPF has additionally taken preventive measures, equivalent to proscribing the issuance of platform tickets at crowded stations and instructing ticket examiners to not problem extra-fare tickets to passengers boarding reserved compartments with out legitimate tickets throughout peak hours.

In August, the Southern Railway awarded a contract to Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) to put in a video surveillance system price ₹90.64 crore at 484 stations to boost passenger security. The surveillance system consists of IP-based CCTV cameras with networking, video monitoring techniques, and video recording amenities.