The Southern Railway administration is reported to be going all out to ensure the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in important suburban stations well ahead of the target of December this year.
Sources indicate that at least some key stations are likely to get the systems at the earliest. “CCTV cameras under Nirbhaya scheme for 82 A, B and all C class stations in Chennai Division has been sanctioned and estimates have already been made by Signal and Telecommunication Branch,” the sources said.
However, following the murder of Swathi at Nungambakkam station and the outrage among residents, the Railways administration has decided to install them on a priority basis at least in a few important stations, the sources added.
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The Nungambakkam station did not have a Station Master either and it was time the Ministry created these posts in important stations, activists have pointed out. According to officials, Nungambakkam was just another ‘halt’ or a ‘non-block station’ where commuters just boarded and alighted from suburban trains and there were no railway operations like shunting, cross over of trains from one line to another or even turn back of services. “Station Masters are posted at stations like Kodambakkam and St. Thomas Mount, but not in Mambalam,” the sources said. However, many commuters are not buying that argument. P. Viswanathan, a commuter and activist said that due to manpower shortage, innocent lives were being lost.
Increased vigil
At least three police personnel, including women constables, from both the RPF and GRP are on duty round the clock at Nungambakkam station. But not all stations are covered similarly, passengers said.
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