30 June,2026 11:14 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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The Maharashtra government has announced a series of measures to strengthen security across Mumbai's suburban railway network, including expanding CCTV coverage, increasing police patrolling and improving emergency medical facilities at railway stations. The announcement follows the fatal stabbing of a commuter aboard a moving local train earlier this month.
Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam informed the Maharashtra Assembly on Monday that the government is taking steps to enhance passenger safety after the June 23 killing of Mayank Lohar in a first-class coach of a Churchgate-Nalasopara local train.
Responding to an adjournment motion moved by the Opposition, Kadam said police arrested the accused within 15 hours of the incident by analysing CCTV footage and using the Facial Recognition System.
According to the minister, investigators traced the suspect through surveillance footage before identifying and apprehending him with the help of facial recognition technology.
"Legal action has been initiated against him," Kadam told the House.
The minister said the swift arrest highlighted the importance of surveillance technology in solving crimes on Mumbai's suburban railway network.
Kadam said the Maharashtra government has written to the Centre requesting an increase in the number of CCTV cameras installed across the suburban railway network.
He said enhancing surveillance infrastructure would be a key focus to deter crime and improve passenger safety. The government also plans to increase police patrolling across railway stations and trains to prevent incidents similar to the recent fatal attack.
Officials believe a combination of expanded surveillance and visible police presence will strengthen security across the network.
Highlighting the scale of Mumbai's suburban railway operations, the minister said nearly 7.5 to 8 million passengers travel on local trains every day, making physical screening of every commuter impractical.
Instead, the Railway Police rely on intelligence-based surveillance, targeting suspicious individuals rather than conducting blanket checks.
"Instead, surveillance is intelligence-based. Suspicious persons are specifically checked, and railway police also conduct surprise inspections and random checks inside train coaches," Kadam said.
He also informed the Assembly that Railway Police maintain round-the-clock surveillance through monitoring systems operated from around 20 police stations.
Addressing concerns over staffing, Kadam said the Railway Police Commissionerate has 4,175 sanctioned posts, rejecting claims that inadequate manpower was affecting security arrangements.
As part of the government's safety measures, emergency medical rooms will be established at every railway station to ensure injured passengers receive immediate treatment during emergencies.
"We will ensure an emergency medical room at every station so that passengers can get immediate medical assistance," the minister said.
Kadam said women's safety remains a priority on Mumbai's suburban railway network. He informed the House that 218 railway security teams monitor women's coaches between 9 pm and 6 am, with four security personnel deployed on every train during those hours.
The minister also shared the Railway Police's recent enforcement figures, stating that officers had returned stolen property worth Rs 4.36 crore to nearly 56,000 passengers this year. Police have also taken action against 303 criminals and 117 people involved in drug-related offences.
In addition, Kadam said the Railway Police are implementing a "Zero Death Mission" aimed at reducing fatalities on the railway network. Under the initiative, 63 accident-prone locations have been identified, and senior officers have been assigned to oversee preventive measures, strengthen safety protocols and improve emergency response at these high-risk spots.
(With inputs from PTI)
