RailTel finalizes agencies for video surveillance system

New Delhi: RailTel, a Miniratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, entrusted with the implementation of the video surveillance system (VSS) project (CCTV cameras network) under Nirbhaya Fund at Railway Stations has taken a major step by finalizing the agencies for executing the job. The first phase of the project will cover major stations of categories A1, A, B, C numbering 756 (The list of stations is attached) and is likely to be completed by January 2023. The remaining stations will be covered in phase 2 of implementation.

The safety and security of passengers is one of the key focus areas of the Ministry of Railways. In order to enhance security at Railway stations which are major hubs of transportation, Indian Railways is in the process of installing the internet protocol (IP) based video surveillance system (VSS) at stations, that is, waiting halls, reservation counters, parking areas, main entrance/ exit, platforms, foot over bridges, booking offices etc. Ministry of Railways has approved works for the provision of the video surveillance system over Indian Railways major stations under Nirbhaya funds.

Union Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw said, "We Need to rapidly absorb new technology in Railways, be it for rolling stock, construction, safety, cyber security, or in situations where there is a human interface."

RailTel's Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) Aruna Singh assured that with the finalization of the executing agencies, the implementation of the project will be fast-tracked. The most modern software & hardware will be used in this project.

This VSS system will be IP based and will have a network of CCTV cameras. These CCTVs are being networked on optical fiber cable and the video feed of the CCTV cameras will be displayed not only at local RPF posts but also at a centralized CCTV control room at divisional and zonal level. The CCTV cameras of stations and video feeds will be monitored at these 3 levels to ensure enhanced safety and security at railway premises.

The system comes with artificial intelligence (AI) enabled video analytics software and facial recognition software which will help to detect known criminals triggering an alert when they enter station premises. Network Management System (NMS) has been also been provided for monitoring of cameras, server, UPS and switches which can be viewed from any web browser by authorized personnel.

4 types of IP cameras (Dome type, bullet types, Pan Tilt Zoom type and Ultra HD- 4k) are being installed to ensure maximum coverage of the railway premises.  This will give an extra edge to the RPF officials for ensuring enhanced security. The recording of the video feeds form CCTV cameras will be stored for 30 days.

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