21 July,2026 08:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
A railway coach with CCTV cameras on the ceiling and emergency talk-back system between the windows. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Central Railway (CR) has surged ahead of Western Railway (WR) in installing onboard safety systems in Mumbai's local trains, achieving 100 per cent CCTV camera and emergency talk-back (ETB) coverage in all ladies' coaches, a feat that WR is yet to accomplish.
Despite this difference, both railways continue to lag significantly in equipping general coaches, where the majority of Mumbaikars commute, with these installations, as per data available with mid-day. CCTV footage is often crucial for investigations, while ETBs enable passengers to directly communicate with the train motorman in case of emergencies.
Out of 468 ladies' coaches, only 161, or 34 per cent, have CCTV cameras, leaving 307 coaches without surveillance. The situation is even more alarming in general coaches, where only 131 of the 1013 coaches have CCTV coverage, leaving 882 coaches without cameras.
The duo who allegedly assaulted a railway passenger. Pic/By Special Arrangement
For ETB systems, WR has made better progress in ladies' compartments, with 423 of 468 coaches equipped, leaving only 45 pending. However, in general compartments, only 150 of the 1013 coaches have ETBs, while it is remaining to be installed in 863 coaches.
CR has achieved complete CCTV coverage in its 794 ladies' coaches, making it the only suburban network in Mumbai to do so. However, in general coaches, it lags behind with just 94 of the 1180 coaches being fitted with CCTV cameras, leaving 1086 coaches without surveillance coverage.
CCTV cameras in local train compartments
Similarly, ETBs have been installed in all ladies' coaches on CR, but only 96 general compartments have the facility. The figures assume significance against the backdrop of a series of recent incidents involving assaults, thefts, harassment, and violent altercations aboard local trains.
Mumbai's suburban network has 2193 general coaches in total, but only 225 have CCTV cameras - just about 10 per cent of the fleet. Similarly, only 246 general coaches, roughly 11 per cent, are equipped with ETBs. In contrast, 1262 ladies' coaches operate across both railways.
A railway coach with CCTV cameras on the ceiling and emergency talk-back system between the windows. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
While all are now equipped with ETBs, CCTV coverage stands at 955 coaches, or nearly 76 per cent, mainly because WR is yet to complete installations in its ladies' fleet. With Mumbai's suburban railway carrying millions of passengers daily, commuter activists have repeatedly demanded faster installation of all such equipment. WR spokesperson said that the installation had been expedited and the works will be completed within a set timeframe.
Two transgender persons have been detained after a video showing the alleged assault of a passenger on a WR local train went viral on social media, officials said on Monday. According to the Railway Protection Force (RPF), the incident came to light after the video circulated widely on social media on July 19.
The RPF post at Dadar (WR) coordinated with the RPF post at Central Railway to analyse CCTV footage and monitor railway stations. They claimed that an argument began after a passenger behaved rudely towards the accused, leading to a physical altercation. As the alleged assault fell within the jurisdiction of the Government Railway Police (GRP), the RPF handed both individuals over to the GRP Mumbai Central for further legal action.
[popcorn number="794" desc="No of ladies' coaches on CR" class="Default"]
