Close on the Integrated Security System (ISS) in Thiruvananthapuram Central, Ernakulam Junction, and Kozhikode railway stations, 23 key railway stations in the State and Tamil Nadu are to be brought under closed-circuit television surveillance system (CCTV).
It is part of a project to provide CCTVs in 983 stations in the country to step up security at stations and premises, ensure safety of commuters, and avert terror attacks.
To be manned by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), as many as 35 to 71 high-definition cameras will be installed in each station, using ₹500 crore from the Nirbhaya fund.
Railways will provide space to set up monitoring centres at the stations, an official told The Hindu . The work is to be completed in three to four months. The captured visuals, which can be retrieved if needed, will also be accessible at the nearest RPF control room.
Face detection technique
Suspicious and unclaimed baggages will also be identified and alert will be sounded. Face detection technique to identify criminals will come in handy for law-enforcing agencies. Recently, an RPF team had nabbed a woman who stole a bag from the waiting hall of Thiruvananthapuram Central with the help of CCTV footage.
Of the 23 railway stations, 14 falls under the Thiruvananthapuram railway division and the rest, under the Palakkad division.
Nagercoil Junction, Kanyakumari, Kuzhithurai, Kochuveli, Varkala, Kollam Junction, Kayamkulam Junction, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Chengannur, Changanasserry, Ernakulam North, Aluva, Thrissur, and Guruvayur are the stations under the Thiruvananthapuram division.
Under the Palakkad division, Vadakara, Kannur, Kasaragod, Mangalore Junction, Palakkad Junction, Shoranur, Tirur, and Thalassery stations will get CCTVs.
The ISS was provided in the three major railway stations as they had figured in the 202 stations that were classified ‘important and sensitive’ on the rail network.
