Data shows 1,968 Mumbai local train general coaches lack CCTV cameras
A severe safety infrastructure deficit has been revealed across Mumbai's suburban railway network, with official data showing that 89.74 percent of general coaches lack CCTV cameras and 93.34 percent lack emergency talk-back systems. The security gap has drawn urgent attention following a series of violent incidents over a two-day period, including a confrontation at Kurla station that left a passenger hospitalized at Sion Hospital.
According to the data, Mumbai's suburban network has 2,193 general coaches, but only 225 are equipped with CCTV cameras. This leaves 1,968 general coaches entirely without surveillance.
Western Railway has installed CCTV cameras in 131 of its 1,013 general coaches, while Central Railway has operational cameras in only 94 of its 1,180 general coaches.
The emergency talk-back system, which allows passengers to communicate directly with the train guard during emergencies, is also missing in most trains. Only 246 general coaches feature the system, leaving 2,049 coaches without any direct emergency communication line.
Safety infrastructure is comparatively better in women's coaches. Central Railway has installed CCTV cameras and talk-back systems in all 794 of its women's coaches. Meanwhile, Western Railway has CCTV coverage in 161 of its 468 women's coaches and emergency talk-back systems in 423.
The deficit in general coaches comes amid rising concerns over commuter safety. On July 16, a dispute escalated into a pepper spray attack inside a local train's ladies' coach.
A day earlier, panic spread at Kurla station after a man was seen running with a wooden plank. On the same day, another passenger was感到 assaulted inside a luggage compartment and admitted to Sion Hospital, while a separate group clash was also reported.
These incidents follow other violent events on the network. On June 22, a passenger was stabbed to death over a doorway dispute, and a professor was murdered inside a local train in January. In July 2023, four people were killed when an RPF constable opened fire inside a train.
Railway officials stated that they are working to address security. Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) for Western Railway, said passenger safety is a top priority, noting that facial recognition cameras have been installed at stations to help solve cases.
Dr. Swapnil Nila, CPRO for Central Railway, appealed to passengers to remain calm and immediately inform railway authorities of any incidents to ensure timely action.
