Camera Can Track Vandals

Western Railway (WR) has realised that the close-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) it had installed at its stations can be used for purposes other than tracking terror suspects.

Now the cameras will also be used to nab pick-pockets and those found harassing women.

WR decided to use CCTVs to make rail travel safer for its commuters, especially women travellers, following several complaints of harassment on the railway premises. In fact it has decided to increase the number of cameras at its stations.

Currently there are approximately nine cameras each at Churchgate, Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra, Andheri and Borivli. WR plans to increase this to 34 cameras each within 15 days. It will also increase the number of LCD screens. Work on laying of cable has already started at some stations. “With these cameras we will be able to cover every inch of the railway station and platform. They will help capture images of people who are indulging pick-pocketing, teasing women and quarrelling. These clips will stored for a month and will be used to catch culprits,” a railway official said. The official said the move will help reduce petty crimes and other incidents on railway stations.

Efficient use of CCTVs helped foil a terror attack in London recently. “It will help similarly here,” he added.

Satyaprakash, deputy railway manager of Western Railway, confirmed that plans to install more cameras for security reasons. “But CCTVs can also be used to investigate small crimes. This will assures safer journey for commuters,” he added. CCTVs were first installed at Mumbai’s railway stations after the July 2006 serial train blasts.

• With these cameras we will be able to cover every inch of the station. These clips will stored for a month and will be used to nab culprits – A Western Railway official

Source: mumbaimirror.com