RailTel has been entrusted with the implementation of video surveillance system (VSS) project (CCTV cameras network) under Nirbhaya Fund at railway stations. RailTel has, in turn, finalised the agency which would execute the work of installing VSS.
The first phase of the project will cover major stations of category A1, A, B, C numbering 756 and is likely to be completed by January 2023. The remaining stations will be covered in phase-2 of implementation.
Commenting on the development, Ashwani Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, 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.”
Meanwhile, Aruna Singh, chairman and managing director, RailTel, assured that with the finalisation of the executing agencies, the implementation of the project will be fast tracked. The most modern software and hardware will be used in this project.
The VSS system will be IP based and will have a network of CCTV cameras. The CCTVs are being networked on optical fibre 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. Also, 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.
Moreover, four 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 Railway Police Force (RPF) officials for ensuring enhanced security. The recording of the video feeds form CCTV cameras will be stored for 30 days.
