By Apurva Bhatt
Western Railway (WR) has decided to install CCTV cameras in ladies coaches of WR soon. Initially it will be installed in three rakes in the next three months, the installation per rake is likely to cost Rs 6.5 lakh.
“We will feel more secure and safe,” says Trupti Patel a commuetsr from Santacruz. These cameras will have a resolution of three-mega pixels and wide angles that will cover all corners of the compartment. They will have a maximum recording period of 30 days. A WR official said, "Trials are being undertaken in the car shed to assess the capabilities of the system and the angle of the cameras."The official added that the cameras are to be installed in three-four months according to the contracts but efforts are being made to expedite the work sooner.
The official said, "The cameras will be placed at the entry and exit of the compartment to capture any image of the intruder." The cameras are based on traction technology that can withstand shock and vibrations as trains often clock 80-100kmph on the suburban section. WR had first initiated CCTV trials in May-June, but the poor image quality of the gadgets put the plan on hold. A railway official admitted it was not possible to monitor live feed in real time as 1,305 services are operated at a frequency of around four minutes throughout the day.
But the presence of CCTV cameras will deter criminals from entering the compartment. The move to instal CCTV cameras in ladies compartments was prompted by attacks on women commuters in a running train. Commuters welcomed the initiative. Rohini Gupta, a Dadar resident said, "The presence of CCTVs will definitely act as deterrent and the images can be produced as evidence to ensure faster trial."
