Seven major Indian railway stations, including Mumbai’s iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, are poised for an AI-powered security overhaul with facial recognition systems to boost passenger safety and streamline surveillance across key transport hubs. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has informed the Supreme Court of its intent to integrate artificial intelligence-based facial recognition across seven high-footfall railway stations, citing its potential to detect individuals listed in the National Database on Sexual Offenders.
With more than 2 million profiles now registered, authorities argue the system will serve as a proactive tool to flag potential threats before offences occur. From a sustainable urban lens, upgrading existing CCTV infrastructure with AI analytics not only enhances safety but also supports integrated city-wide data ecosystems. The move aligns with broader “Safe City” modernisation initiatives underway in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Lucknow—cities where smart lighting, automated number–plate recognition, and drone surveillance complement AI detection systems.
Beyond Mumbai’s heritage-listed CST, the selected stations are Bengaluru, Chennai Central, Howrah Junction, Ahmedabad, New Delhi, and Pune. These hubs manage hundreds of thousands to millions of commuters daily, making them critical nodes in the railway network. Experts note that AI-enabled facial recognition offers situational awareness during high-capacity events such as festivals, improving equitable access and gender-sensitive oversight across public spaces Officials confirm that the pilot system will link existing CCTV setups to the National Automated Facial Recognition System and local police networks. Upon identifying a match in the National Database on Sexual Offenders—now exceeding 20.28 lakh entries—the system will notify Railway Protection Force and GRP personnel via the Inter‑Operable Criminal Justice System. The technology will also assist with crowd monitoring, locating missing persons, and deterring anti‑social behaviour, contributing to a sustainable and inclusive urban mobility framework.
However, advocates caution against over-reliance on AI. A Supreme Court Women Lawyers’ Association witness underscored that pending crimes against women rose from 58.8 per lakh in 2018 to 66.4 per lakh in 2022, with conviction rates lagging behind Civil‑liberties experts also flagged privacy risks and urged transparent protocols. MHA has assured that deployment will adhere to existing legal norms and privacy provisions, with oversight measures integrated from Day One. The Supreme Court, reviewing this matter next week, will weigh the benefits of enhanced public safety against potential implications for civil liberties. As India builds climate‑resilient, equitable cities, embedding technology like AI within democratic and privacy‑aware frameworks remains a sort of litmus test for urban governance.
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