The Government, earlier in the day, announced that 25 trains will be equipped with CCTV cameras for safety of its passengers, especially women. Prashanti Express, Vishakahaptanam Swarnajayanti Express, Purushottam Express, Kalinga Utkal Express and Tapaswini Express are among 25 trains.
Shan-e-Punjab becomes the first train to get CCTVs
This week, the New Delhi-Amritsar Shan-e-Punjab Express became the first train to be fitted with CCTV cameras. A total of 122 cameras were installed in 21 coaches in an attempt to make railway journeys safer for the passengers. They have been installed strategically near the entrances so that they do not compromise on the privacy of the passengers but keep a check on crime.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu inaugurated the facility in Amritsar through a video conference call while in Delhi. Apart from this, some suburban coaches in Mumbai have also been fitted with CCTV cameras on pilot basis. The guards’ compartments have been fitted with LCD monitors for surveillance of the entire train and the high definition screening will make it easier to identify culprits.
This plan was announced by the Railway Minister in the Indian Budget, where a total of 700 crore rupees was allotted to CCTV cameras in 20,000 railway coaches from the Nirbhaya fund, which was created in 2013 after the December 16 Delhi gang rape case.
The official Twitter handle tweeted a picture of one of the coaches in Shan-E-Punjab.
Apart from this initiative of the Indian Railways, other initiatives like the Railways’ helpline have been appreciated by people for prompt replies to complaints and rectification of problems. Earlier in the month, the Delhi-Agra Gatiman Express was flagged off as the fastest train of the Indian Railways with a speed of 160 kmph.
Whether this new initiative of the Railways will have an impact on the safety is yet to be seen, but the move is definitely worth appreciation.
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