Now, full CCTV coverage at nearly 200 locations in Rs 25.8 cr investment
Ticket Collectors check the ticket of a passenger at a station in Mumbai. Representation pic
Following the rise in cases of passenger misbehaviour and assault on ticket checking staff, the Western Railway (WR) is installing a complete CCTV network at nearly 200 locations across the suburban network. It will also help the vigilance department to monitor ticket checking operations.
The Mumbai Central Division of Western Railway is rolling out CCTV coverage worth Rs 25.81 crore across ticketing offices, counters, and passenger interface areas, railway officials said.
Official records show that CCTV cameras will be installed at 29 Passenger Reservation System (PRS) centres at stations and 31 Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS)-cum-PRS stations at a cost of Rs 7.12 crore, strengthening security at some of the most crowded ticketing locations on the Mumbai suburban railway network.
More CCTV cameras will be installed at 68 UTS stations at a cost of Rs 12.39 crore, a move officials say is crucial to deter ticketless passengers threatening staff, altercations, abuse and physical threats faced daily by booking clerks and staff handling cash and ticketing disputes.
Additionally, CCTV cameras will be installed at 40 Head Ticket Collector (TC) offices and Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) lobbies across stations at a cost of Rs 6.30 crore, improving safety for staff working late hours and during peak rush when tensions often run high, while paying fines, etc.
Railway officials say the combined Rs 25.81 crore investment is aimed at creating a safer working environment for ticketing and booking staff, who routinely deal with overcrowding, fare disputes and aggressive behaviour when fined on the Mumbai suburban network.
Which areas does it cover?
Locations where CCTV cameras will be installed (Mumbai Central division) include 29 PRS stations and booking offices handling long-distance and reserved ticketing, often crowded and cash-intensive; 31 UTS-cum-PRS stations, where both unreserved and reserved ticketing counters operate under one roof; 68 UTS located at high footfall suburban stations where booking clerks frequently face rush-hour stress, fare disputes, and crowd pressure; 40 Head TC offices where ticketing staff work extended hours and handle sensitive cases; TTE lobbies at stations, rest and reporting areas.
37
Total no. of stations on WR’s suburban section
200
Locations where CCTVs will be installed
Voices
Sandeep More, IT professional, Borivli
‘You see arguments during ticket checks almost every day now. One small dispute can suddenly turn violent. CCTV is not about policing commuters; it’s about protecting people who are duped by fake TCs, etc.’
Meena Iyer, bank employee, Andheri
‘Most commuters just want to get home peacefully. When there’s chaos during ticket checks, everyone suffers. Better security helps calm situations before they explode’
Shailesh Goyal, former member, National Railway Users Consultative Committee
‘It is a nice move that will help catch offenders. It will help the staff identify miscreants and also help to monitor staff activities. They should also do it in RPF offices like this so that it is helpful’
A history of violence
August 17-18, 2024
AC local train (Churchgate-Virar)
A passenger assaulted a TC after being asked to pay a fine for travelling without a valid ticket.
August 15, 2024
AC local train (between Borivli and Nalasopara)
Passengers reportedly assaulted a TTE onboard an AC local. An FIR was filed.
September 21, 2024 Nalasopara station
Ticket inspector Vijay Kumar Pandit was attacked by a passenger wielding a hockey stick.
August 2, 2025
Borivli station
A ticketless man assaulted railway staff and damaged equipment in the ticket checker’s office leading to police action.
August 4, 2025
Kurla and Dadar stations
A woman allegedly manhandled on-duty TC staff after being stopped for a ticket check; she later apologised and paid the penalty.
June 28, 2025
CSMT
Three passengers, including a woman, were booked for assaulting and pushing a female TC.
January 1, 2026
Sewri station
Two commuters assaulted a TC during a ticket check in a local; an FIR was filed.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
