The Growing Role of CCTV for the Safety and Security of Indian Railways and Passengers

Indian Railways is a government owned organization responsible for providing transportation of passenger and freight services in India. Ministry of Railways is solely responsible for the operation of Indian Railways. Indian Railways is the fourth largest railway network in the world. Indian Railways is the world's eighth biggest employer. It comprises of enormous length of track and absolute volume of passenger traffic, it becomes an unavoidable obligation or requirement on the part of the Indian Railways to provide quickly and effectively passenger services with infallible safety and security. This research paper will test the advantages and disadvantages of CCTV cameras installed in Indian Railways for surveillance systems, examining their role in crime prevention against the passengers and providing them foolproof safety and protection. The study is based primarily on “19^th Report on Passenger Amenities and Passenger Safety In Indian Railways” given by Standing Committee on Railways (2012-13) (fifteenth Lok Sabha) Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) and observations of CCTV installations in Indian Railways. The Report comprises of the two parts. Part I having VII Chapters. Chapter I to VI consist of Introduction on classification of amenities provided, categorization of stations. Passenger Reservation System, Ticketing Staff Training and Linen Management. Part II is exclusively on Recommendations given by the Standing Committee. The effect of the recommendations and their effect are summarized at the end of the research paper.