The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has rolled out an advanced artificial intelligence-driven CCTV surveillance system across six stations on the Purple Line.
The development marks a notable milestone in the city’s pursuit of secure, efficient, and sustainable urban mobility. Deployed officially on 6 May 2025, the upgraded system is operational across key nodes of the 18.10-kilometre stretch that connects Baiyappanahalli to Mysore Road, traversing 17 vital stations that form a critical spine in Bengaluru’s east-west mass transit corridor. The initiative is part of a broader commitment by BMRCL to integrate emerging technologies into its daily operations, ensuring not just smoother commutes, but enhanced safety and situational responsiveness. According to officials from BMRCL, the advanced surveillance system aims to eliminate traditional blind spots in station monitoring and extend security perimeters well beyond the ticketing zones and platforms.
What sets this surveillance upgrade apart is its capability to operate proactively rather than reactively. Embedded with artificial intelligence algorithms, the cameras are now trained to detect anomalies in real time — from unattended baggage and suspicious human movement to perimeter intrusions — which are instantly flagged to central control rooms for immediate human review and intervention. Among the system’s most significant features is Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. This mechanism enables real-time scanning, capturing, and interpretation of vehicle number plates around metro station premises. The integration of ANPR not only allows the metro authorities to track vehicular movement but also offers a vital tool in deterring unauthorised access and monitoring emergency response logistics.
Metro authorities have confirmed that the use of ANPR and AI-based video analytics significantly reduces manual surveillance dependency while amplifying response accuracy and time. The system is capable of recording and analysing tens of thousands of frames per second, identifying threats or irregularities that may go unnoticed by the human eye. This move comes in the wake of growing safety concerns in crowded urban transit hubs, especially in rapidly expanding metro networks like Bengaluru’s. As ridership numbers continue to climb, so does the urgency to deploy systems that can adapt quickly to potential threats without burdening existing human resources.
The Purple Line, being among the city’s oldest and busiest corridors, has been prioritised for this initial deployment, with plans reportedly underway to expand these capabilities to other lines, including the Green and Yellow corridors. In parallel to the security enhancements, BMRCL has also introduced 10 Self-Service Ticket Machines (SSTMs) at Baiyappanahalli station. These machines are aimed at reducing queues, enhancing passenger autonomy, and promoting contactless travel — a crucial step in post-pandemic urban transit management.
These SSTMs are equipped with QR-code scanning capabilities and are geared to eventually replace the single-journey tokens that currently dominate short-distance travel on the metro. By enabling digital ticketing, BMRCL is working to reduce not only physical contact but also the ecological footprint generated by token production and disposal. Metro officials noted that this is in line with the city’s long-term vision of becoming a zero net carbon and digitally smart urban ecosystem. With mobility being one of the largest contributors to city-level emissions, initiatives like QR-based ticketing, station electrification, and surveillance-led crowd management directly contribute to energy efficiency and public convenience.
Experts in transport and public safety have lauded the development, noting that cities like Bengaluru — with their fast-growing population and tech-forward demographic — require such integrated solutions that simultaneously address environmental sustainability, passenger comfort, and security. According to urban mobility analysts, Bengaluru’s metro security infrastructure was long due for a strategic upgrade. While earlier surveillance systems were limited to CCTV feeds monitored by station personnel, the latest deployment leverages machine learning to refine threat detection, thereby improving both accuracy and resource management.
In the longer term, such systems may also contribute towards better urban planning. Data insights gathered through surveillance analytics can inform decisions on station redesigns, crowd flow management, parking infrastructure, and even last-mile connectivity improvements. This initiative also aligns with national efforts under the Smart Cities Mission, which calls for digitised, safe, and inclusive urban transport ecosystems. By actively pursuing AI-led safety solutions, Bengaluru joins the ranks of other global cities embracing technology to make public spaces safer for all demographics — including women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Public response to the initiative has been largely positive, with daily commuters welcoming the added layer of security and convenience. However, civil liberty groups have also urged authorities to ensure that surveillance data remains protected and is used strictly within the purview of law and commuter welfare. Metro officials responded to these concerns by stating that all systems are fully compliant with data protection norms and surveillance ethics. Access to video data is strictly restricted and is only retained for designated periods as per legal and operational requirements.
As the Bengaluru Metro continues to expand its footprint — with new lines, elevated corridors, and multimodal integrations — the emphasis on using cutting-edge technology to future-proof its services is becoming increasingly evident. In a city known for its innovation and agility, the integration of AI-powered surveillance and digital ticketing into its public transport fabric represents more than just a security upgrade. It is a signal of intent — to build not just a bigger metro, but a smarter, safer, and more equitable one.
While challenges remain in terms of scalability and system integration across all corridors, the pilot success along the Purple Line could pave the way for a holistic, tech-driven overhaul of metro transit in India’s tech capital. The coming months will be key in assessing the real-world efficacy of these systems. Still, what is clear is that the future of public transport in Bengaluru is not just about moving people, but about moving them securely, sustainably, and smartly.
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