AI to Bolster Western Railway Safety
In the wake of a recent alarming incident on a Western Railway (WR) train, the railway authorities have announced a strategic move to enhance security by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into their surveillance systems. This decision follows the alleged rape of a 54-year-old woman by a 24-year-old man aboard a vacant mail train at Bandra Terminus earlier this month. The horrific incident has prompted the railway authorities to take swift action to improve safety measures across the network.
To address growing concerns, senior officials from Western Railway held discussions with representatives from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and local police to outline the steps for reinforcing security. The focus of these measures is two-pronged: expanding the existing CCTV surveillance network and integrating AI technology to enhance monitoring capabilities at stations. A senior official from WR shared that the first major step will be the procurement and installation of new CCTV cameras to ensure broader coverage across trains and platforms. Alongside this, the authorities plan to introduce AI-driven systems to augment the monitoring process. While details on the exact implementation of AI technology remain forthcoming, officials have expressed interest in studying systems used in European rail networks, such as those in Germany and Switzerland, to identify relevant applications for the local context.
“We are looking at how AI systems have been used abroad and adapting them to our needs,” stated another senior WR official. AI’s potential to reduce the reliance on continuous human monitoring of CCTV feeds is a key advantage. By using algorithms to analyse footage in real-time, the system would be capable of autonomously identifying security threats and providing instant alerts to the authorities, allowing for quicker responses to potential incidents. This AI-driven surveillance upgrade is set to be a crucial tool in preventing crimes like the recent incident, where the victim was attacked while the train was parked and empty. In the aftermath of the assault on February 2, the accused, a 24-year-old porter, was promptly arrested by a combined team of the Bandra Government Railway Police (GRP) and RPF. He was subsequently handed over to the GRP for further legal action.
In addition to the enhanced security measures, the authorities are hopeful that AI will be an invaluable tool in monitoring and maintaining safety across Western Railway’s busy network. With thousands of commuters relying on local trains daily, these technological upgrades are a significant step toward ensuring a safer and more secure travel environment for all passengers.