Mumbai local trains safety: Maharashtra govt plans increased patrolling by cops and expanding CCTV network

The Maharashtra government has announced a series of measures to strengthen security across Mumbais 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 monthMinister 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 firstclass coach of a ChurchgateNalasopara local trainMurder accused arrested within 15 hoursResponding 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 SystemAccording to the minister investigators traced the suspect through surveillance footage before identifying and apprehending him with the help of facial recognition technologyLegal action has been initiated against him Kadam told the HouseThe minister said the swift arrest highlighted the importance of surveillance technology in solving crimes on Mumbais suburban railway networkGovernment plans wider CCTV coverageKadam said the Maharashtra government has written to the Centre requesting an increase in the number of CCTV cameras installed across the suburban railway networkHe 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 attackOfficials believe a combination of expanded surveillance and visible police presence will strengthen security across the networkDaily passenger volume makes universal screening impossibleHighlighting the scale of Mumbais suburban railway operations the minister said nearly 75 to 8 million passengers travel on local trains every day making physical screening of every commuter impracticalInstead the Railway Police rely on intelligencebased surveillance targeting suspicious individuals rather than conducting blanket checksInstead surveillance is intelligencebased Suspicious persons are specifically checked and railway police also conduct surprise inspections and random checks inside train coaches Kadam saidHe also informed the Assembly that Railway Police maintain roundtheclock surveillance through monitoring systems operated from around 20 police stationsAddressing concerns over staffing Kadam said the Railway Police Commissionerate has 4175 sanctioned posts rejecting claims that inadequate manpower was affecting security arrangementsEmergency medical rooms planned at stationsAs part of the governments safety measures emergency medical rooms will be established at every railway station to ensure injured passengers receive immediate treatment during emergenciesWe will ensure an emergency medical room at every station so that passengers can get immediate medical assistance the minister saidSecurity measures for women and crime controlKadam said womens safety remains a priority on Mumbais suburban railway network He informed the House that 218 railway security teams monitor womens coaches between 9 pm and 6 am with four security personnel deployed on every train during those hoursThe minister also shared the Railway Polices recent enforcement figures stating that officers had returned stolen property worth Rs 436 crore to nearly 56000 passengers this year Police have also taken action against 303 criminals and 117 people involved in drugrelated offencesIn addition Kadam said the Railway Police are implementing a Zero Death Mission aimed at reducing fatalities on the railway network Under the initiative 63 accidentprone locations have been identified and senior officers have been assigned to oversee preventive measures strengthen safety protocols and improve emergency response at these highrisk spotsWith inputs from PTI