Story

Mumbai, India – June 2025 — In a bold step toward modernizing India’s railway safety infrastructure, Western Railway (WR) has announced plans to install artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled CCTV cameras on 978 freight and passenger train locomotives, at an estimated cost of ₹100 crore (about Rs 1 billion).

The initiative is part of a broader digital transformation strategy focused on increasing operational transparency, improving accident analysis, and enhancing overall safety standards across one of India’s busiest rail corridors.

A 360-Degree View of Rail Safety

The upgrade will include 810 electric locomotives and 168 diesel engines, each outfitted with six high-definition, AI-integrated cameras. These cameras will be strategically positioned to offer full coverage:

• Two cameras inside the driving cabs
• Four outward-facing cameras to monitor track conditions, level crossings, and surrounding activity
• One periphery camera for panoramic surveillance of the locomotive’s surroundings

According to Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, “The AI cameras will monitor track integrity, alert operators to unexpected obstructions, and record events that can assist in accident investigations. This data will provide invaluable insights into the root causes of incidents and help build a safer railway ecosystem.”

Smarter Surveillance, Safer Systems

Unlike traditional CCTV setups, these systems are AI-powered, enabling them to detect anomalies in real time and log critical events without the need for constant human supervision. The cameras will record footage offline, providing protection against cyber threats while ensuring secure data storage for post-event review.

This will not only support operational teams in incident analysis but also promote proactive maintenance by identifying early signs of infrastructure fatigue or trespassing.

Implementation Timeline and Strategy

Western Railway will engage third-party technology providers through a tendering process, prioritizing vendors who can offer both hardware and proprietary software—with access to source code to ensure long-term maintainability.

The entire project is expected to be rolled out in phases, with full deployment targeted by March 2026.

A Signal for the Future

This deployment is one of the largest AI-integrated locomotive surveillance projects in Indian Railways to date, and positions Western Railway as a national leader in rail safety innovation.

By investing in smarter infrastructure, WR is not only responding to the growing complexity of India’s rail network but also setting a precedent for how AI can play a role in public safety, real-time threat detection, and operational excellence.