INTRODUCTION:

From the time when Closed Circuit Tele Vision (CCTV) was discovered in 1940s and first time used in a railway station in the United Kingdom in 1975, it has become an essential part of the safety and security of railways and its passengers in every nook and corners of the world. It is beyond doubt that by using CCTV for keeping close watch was most useful in controlling the crime rate in railways as well as against the passengers in almost all countries. By up gradation of technology so many uses for CCTV were possible for the safety and security of the passengers and in turns the security provided by the railways. Indian Railways has adopted the use of CCTV for safety and security of railways and its passengers. This study will examine the pros and cons of CCTV cameras installed in Indian Railway for the safety and security of the passengers. This study has further examined the recommendations given by the Standing Committee on Railways (2012-13) (fifteenth Lok Sabha) Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) vide its 19^th Report on Passenger Amenities and Passenger Safety In Indian Railways.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

During the span of last decade CCTVs footage on the railway stations and through the recording of the evidence obtained thereby have happen to be more important tool in the evading, test and finding of crime and violence. The use of CCTV has remarkable reductions in crime on the railways and CCTV has played a vital role in making the railways safer. However, the terrorist attacks on London in July 2005 together with the Haymarket and Glasgow attacks in June 2007 led to an exceptional demand for access to CCTV recordings as part of the consequent police investigation. This served to underline not only the problems inherent in dealing with a diversity of different railway CCTV systems but also the general insufficiency of existing systems to support evidential necessities in terms of the quantity, quality and ease and speed of access to recorded CCTV data.

The objectives of this study is to examine the recommendations of Standing Committee on Railways (2012-13) (fifteenth Lok Sabha) Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) vide its 19^th Report on Passenger Amenities and Passenger Safety In Indian Railways and observations of CCTV installations in Indian Railways, examining their role in crime prevention against the passengers and providing them foolproof safety and protection,likely to explode finding, unstable discarding.

CONCEPTS AND HYPOTHESIS:

In recent years, CCTV monitoring has become an absolute requirement to ensure railways and passengers safety and security in all corners of the globe. The rail industry has become increasingly vulnerable to security threats that include theft, vandalism, fire, acts of terrorism etc. The rail industry faces a crucial need to protect passengers, employees, infrastructure, goods and assets against these possible threats. And there is no doubt the development of CCTV surveillance has contributed majorly in decreasing the crime rate on railways and metros in many countries in general and in India in particular

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

Secondary data research methodology is adopted in this study

REVIEW OF LITERATURE:

To complete this study I referred the “19^th Report on Passenger Amenities and Passenger Safety In Indian Railways”. I also referred an article “Can Surveillance Cameras be Successful Paper presented at The Character, Impact and Prevention of Crime in Regional Australia” Conference convened by the Australian Institute of Criminology and held in Townsville 2-3 August 2001.For completion of this study I went through the guidance document on National Rail and Underground Closed Circuit Television (CCTV). Furthermore for this study, I referred the information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 09^thDecember 2015and also the Information was given by the Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 03.08.2016

MATERIAL AND METHOD:

Indian Railways is one of the largest railways systems of the world and functions as a vertically incorporated organization providing passenger and freight services. At the end of 2015-16, it comprises of 119,630 kilometers total track and 7,216 stations over the route. Indian Railways has 8.107 billion passengers during 2015-16. It means that it carried 22 million passengers per day. Indian Railways transported 1.101 billion tons of goods during 2015-16. Indian Railways on an average ran 13,313 passenger trains daily in 2015-16. Rolling stock of Indian Railways comprised over 251,256 freight wagons and 70,241 passenger coaches. Indian Railways are currently running 19,186 numbers of trains and earning revenues of Rs.1.683 trillion, consisting of Rs.1.069 trillion freight earnings andRs.442.83 billion passengers earnings .Indian Railways is the world's eighth biggest employer and had 1.331 million employees at the end of 2015-16.Given the sheer volume of passenger traffic, it becomes imperative that the Indian Railways provide efficient passenger services with foolproof safety and security. The purpose of this study is to provide the direction towards control about the efficient function and use of CCTVs in the Indian Railways.

19^TH REPORT ON PASSENGER AMENITIES AND PASSENGER SAFETY ININDIAN RAILWAYS:

Standing Committee on Railways (2012-13) (fifteenth Lok Sabha) Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) on Passenger Amenities and passenger Safety in Indian Railways presented to Lok Sabha on 22.04.2013 and laid in Rajya Sabha on 22.04.2013.The Committee took evidence of the representatives of the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) on 07.10.2011, 19.10.2011 and 08.12.2011.The Committee considered and adopted the Report at their sitting held on 05.04.2013. The Report comprises of the two parts as under:

PART-I

Chapter-I: Introductory, Classification of amenities provided at various category of station andCategorization of Stations

Chapter-II: Funding of passenger amenities, Sanction of passenger amenity works, Revised norms for ‘D’ category stations, Adarsh Stations, World Class Stations and Multi-Functional Complex

Chapter-III: Passenger Reservation System, Ticketing Staff and Training, etc

Chapter-IV: Catering in Stations and on board trains.

Chapter-V: Provision of drinking water in stations and on board trains and cleanliness, Watering of Coaches, Cleanliness in Trains and Stations

Chapter-VI: Linen Management

Chapter-VII: Security system over Indian Railways, Training to RPF, Integrated Security System, All India Security Helpline and On-board medical facilities.

PART-II: Recommendations

Analysis of 19^th Report of the Standing Committee on Railways (2012-13) (fifteenth Lok Sabha) Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) on Passenger Amenities and passenger Safety in Indian Railways

Let us batter out about the 19^th Report of the Standing Committee on Railways (2012-13) (fifteenth Lok Sabha) Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) on Passenger Amenities and passenger Safety in Indian Railways presented to Lok Sabha on 22.04.2013 and laid in Rajya Sabha on 22.04.2013 particularly Chapter-VII comprises of Security system over Indian Railways, instruction to RPF, integrated Security System, All India Security Helpline and On-board medical facilities in general and included protection structure in particular vide which CCTV installations in Indian Railways, examining their role in crime deterrence against the passengers and as long as them perfect security and safety was discussed in extent and width.

Chapter- VII of the 19^th Report of the Standing Committee on Railways (2012-13) comprises of

(A) SECURITY SYSTEM OVER INDIAN RAILWAYS

Right now, the security of Indian Railways is looked after by the Government Railway Police, District Police and Railway Protection Force. In the foundation, the role and liability of RPF was confined to the security of railway property. By an amendment in the RPF Act in 2003, the role and responsibilities of RPF were complete to the security of passengers, passenger area and matters connected therewith. at present, the role and responsibilities of the 3 agencies are as under:

District Police: Security of tracks and bridges and law and order troubles away from outer signals of railway stations.

Government Railway Police (GRP):Prevention and detection of passenger related crime and maintenance of law and order in the station premises and in trains. 50% of the cost of Government Railway Police is borne by the Railways and the balance is paid by the State Government concerned.

Railway Protection Force: Security of railway property, passengers, passenger area and matters connected therewith.

(B) TRAINING TO RPF

Regarding the training being imparted to the RPF, the Ministry have elaborated “Initial training.

1) IndoorTraining:Law, crime on Railways, psychology, management and GK, working of Railways, general association of RPF, tragedy executive, visits and report writing, use of technology and computer, revision and shatter tests interface and sensitization, RPF Mitra Yojna, ethics in policing and Rajbhasha and library.

2) Outdoor Training:stick training, ground ability and plans, physical training, U.A.C.,Yoga, games/gym and learning of driving.

Apart from the above, the following training to RPF personnel in-service is also being imparted to the staff.

1. Recognition of explosive substances, IEDs bomb detection and its counter measures is being imparted.

2. Drugging of passengers in Railways and different detective/preventive steps being taken in this regard by safety personnel including 3D human portrait building photo identity kit and anthropology method.

3. Workshop on untoward incidents and disaster management.

4. On job training was imparted at VSG/SWR Bilaspur/SECR, BSB/DLW/NER, Maligaon /NFR and JHS/NCR as to RPF and Railway employees at these places.

5. In addition, training in fire fighting techniques to RPF personnel.

6. Pre-induction course for advanced bomb disposal module is being conducted for selected Force personnel who are then sent to NSG for further training.

7. Course on changing face of terrorism and naxalism and its impact on Indian Railways.

8. Commando course.”

(C) ALL INDIA SECURITY HELPLINE

An All India Security Helpline has been future by the Railways. It envisages the provision of a sole all India helpline number to railway passengers for round the clock security assistance during their journey. It is being implemented at an approved cost of Rs. 5 crore under the works programme. about the position of implementation of this initiative, the Ministry has replied:

“Northern Railway is the nodal agency for setting up of all India Security Helpline. Detailed estimates to the tune of Rs.4.70 Crore permitted and convened to Northern Railway for further required action.”

(D) ON-BOARD MEDICAL FACILITIES

A doctor with a paramedic body has been provided in the Duronto trains, as a Pilot project. In addition to this, all passenger carrying trains are provided with First Aid Boxes and increased First Aid Boxes have been provided with the Train Superintendents of Rajdhani/Shatabdi Express trains and Guards of nominated trains. The front line staff viz., Train Superintendent, Train Conductors, Travelling Train Ticket Examiners, etc. are also trained in rendering First Aid. Trains can also make unprepared halts, if essential, at the stations, on the way, in emergencies. The Station Masters have facts of doctors, clinics and hospitals, both Government and Private in the locality of the station, so that their services could also be availed, in emergencies.

(E) Included safety measures classification (IP based CCTV surveillance system)

An included protection system is being implemented to brace surveillance instrument over sensitive stations of the Indian Railways. The system consists of IP based CCTV surveillance system, access control, personal and luggage viewing system and bomb exposure and throwing away system. The area to be covered under Integrated Security System is Entry/Exit points (i.e. point from where passengers enter/exit ticketing area), circulating region, square, all platforms, parcel area, PRS, yard pit shed, washing line and vehicle entry point. The system is being implemented at an approved cost of Rs. 353 core over 202 sensitive stations of the country. Contract for nominated stations of Southern Railway, South Central Railway, Kolkata Metro, Delhi area stations of the Northern Railway, North Western Railway, North East Frontier Railway, South West Railway, Central Railway, East Coast Railway, South East Coast Railway, West Central Railway has already been awarded by personal zonal railways. Matter is under a range of stages of tendering process over other zonal railways.

1. When asked about the defining features of this scheme, the Ministry have replied as under:

“An integrated Security System has been approved to strengthen surveillance mechanism over sensitive and vulnerable stations of the Indian Railways. System has been conceptualized as comprising of following components which together provide multiple checking of passengers and its baggage from the point of entry in the station premises till boarding of train”

I) Internet set of rules Based CCTV System

II) Access Control

III) Personal and Baggage Screening System

IV) Bomb Detection and Disposal System

A total of 202 insightful stations have been chosen for fitting of this system at an approved budget of Rs. 353 crore.

Region to be covered under Integrated Security System shall be: Entry/Exit points circulating area (including parking area etc.), open space, all platforms (including waiting room/cloak room), parcel area, PRS, FOB, Yard Pit Shed, Washing Line, Station Limit (Home Signal to Home Signal), vehicle entry point (to record vehicle number plate etc.) only. The concept is to have multiple checking systems starting from entry to the station premises and continuing till the boarding of the train.

CCTV system shall be IP based with video analytics and 30 days‟ footage facility. Video analytics will have crowd running, left over luggage exposure and intrusion finding features. habitual vehicle scanner will be provided at entry gates from where vehicles enter into the station location.

The scanner will be integrated into the Control Room meant for supervision of CCTV system. For personal showing, hand held metal detectors, door frame metal detectors and frisking in suspected cases will be done. X-ray luggage scanner will be provided at every entry point. Number of entry points will be improved depending on quantity of traffic and level of aware.

Explosive detection and disposal system has been bifurcated into two parts –

Explosive detection and explosive disposal. For explosive detection, sniffer dogs and explosive vapordetectors will be used. Control room shall be a vital part of the incorporated Security System. preparation will be an essential constituent of the scheme. implementation, measurement and getting test of access control, personal and baggage screening and bomb disposal and detection system shall be done by the Chief Security Commissioners/RPF of the zonal railways. Execution, certification and acceptance test of CCTV surveillance system shall be done by the Chief Signal and Telecom Engineer of the Zonal Railways.

1.Eleven Zonal Railways- Southern Railway, South Central Railway, Northern Railway (Delhi Area Stations), Kolkata Metro, North Western Railway, Northeast Frontier Railway, South Western Railway, Central Railway(Mumbai Area Stations), East Coast Railway, Southeast Central Railway, West Central Railway covering 82 railway stations, have awarded contract for execution of the work.

2. Over the remaining stations of South Eastern Railway, North Central Railway, North Eastern Railway, Eastern Railway, East Central Railway, Western Railway, Central Railway (Outside Mumbai area stations), Northeast Frontier Railway(remaining 8 stations) and Northern Railway (Outside Delhi area stations) finalization of tender for awarding the contract for implementation of the system is being done.

3. Concerning the execution of this scheme, the Ministry have up to date that:

“Execution of work for installation of integrated safety System is under growth over Southern Railway, South Central Railway, Metro Railway and Northern Railway (Delhi area). North Western Railway, North East Frontier Railway, South Western Railway, Central Railway, East Coast Railway, South Central Railway, West Central Railway. Implementation of the scheme over other Zonal Railways is under tendering process.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

The Committee has recommended on the Indian Railway’s Safety and Security as under :-

Recommendation No 28.: The Committee note that at present the safety of the Indian Railways is being handled by the Government Railway Police, District Police and the Railway Protection Force. Further, the Committee note that in order to merge more powers and duty with theRPF, the Ministry have moved a proposal for amendment in the RPF Act, which would enable the RPF to replace the GRP in the passenger area. The Committee feel that this is a positive step as security matters should be consolidated and handled by a single agency which would result in quicker reaction time in case of emergencies and also avoid inter-agency issues.

Recommendation No 29.: The Committee are, however, troubled to note that a large number of vacancies exist in the RPF. Though the process of recruitment of has already been initiated, the Committee feel that in the first place, such a large number of vacancies should nothave been allowable to happen. The Committee craving that the recruitment course of action of safety personnel be expedited, particularly in light of the fact that they have to undergo extensive and intensive training before being made available to the Railways.

Recommendation No 30. :The Committee watch that the Railways are implementing an motivated integrated security system to brace the surveillance instrument over sensitive stations on Railway system. However, the Committee note with worry that it is still under tendering in most Zones. The Committee have frequently been emphasizing that delaysnullify the helpfulness of schemes/initiatives. The Committee take a well-built view of the delays in the expeditious conclusion of schemes involving passenger safety and security and urge the Ministry to complete the work related to the integrated security system on a top right of way basis. The Committee may be apprised of the same.

Recommendation No 31. : The Committee note that the Indian Railways have proposed to develop an all-India security helpline for round the clock assistance to passengers during journeys. The Committee urge the Ministry to expedite this process and give wide publicity to increase awareness of this number so that the travelling public can use it to their advantage.

Main function oF mechanism of CCTVS on railway stations

CCTV at Indian Railways at various stations, on trains and at car parks is usefully deployed for a wide variety of communal purposes. These can be broadly grouped as follows but not limited to:

1. To deter and prevent crime/terrorist activity

2. To detect crime/terrorist activity

3. To assist the emergency services

4. To examine crime/terrorist activity

5. To investigate staff, public and rail related accidents and incidents

6. To provide evidence in criminal and civil proceedings

7. To reassure and give self-belief to the public and staff

8. To meet all statutory necessities and obligations

9. To monitor and manage passenger flows

10. Crowd control

11. Vehicle control

12. To aid decisions on train movements, particularly following disruption including contingency management following terrorist activity

KEY AREAS OF USEOF CCTV AT RAILWAY STATIONS BY INDIAN RAILWAYS:

It’s impossible to know with any confidence how many CCTV cameras are in operation by railways and metros in the order of the globe but the popular identify three key areas of use.

1) The reason most common in the public’s perception of CCTV - the deterrence and finding of crime and anti-social behavior. CCTV footage provides powerful evidence in court.

2) Health and safety of employees, passengers and other members of the public. This is both at the station and along the rail track for example in the detection of trespassers

3) Real time passenger flow and movement monitoring.

OUTPUT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Following information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 09^thDecember 2015

Prevention of crime, registration of cases and maintenance of law and order over station premises and trains is the constitutional liability of States, which is being discharged by them through Government Railway Police (GRP) and 50% cost of GRPs is born by Railways. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is supplementing efforts of GRPs to ensure security at Railway stations, which includes strengthening and up-gradation of security infrastructure at sensitive stations, viz., installation of (CCTV) Cameras and metal detectors. CCTV cameras have been provided at 311 railway stations for round the clock surveillance. In addition, about 750 Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMDs) have also been installed by zonal railways at sensitive stations over Indian Railways.

Besides, the following steps are being taken by the Railways to provide security at Railway Stations:

1. RPF holds regular coordination meetings with State Police at all levels to ensure proper registration and examination of crime by Government Railway Police.

2. RPF Crime prevention and detection squads and particular teams are twisted to keep vigil on the criminals in trains/ stations to prevent crime.

3. Joint drives by RPF/GRP and Commercial Department are conducted from time to time against the illegal entry of passengers in trains and at railway location.

4. Passenger outreach programmers have been launched as well as declaration during loudhailers / PA system, pasting of stickers and providing 182 of RPF for safety related support.

Total 202 Railway stations have been identified for installation of (CCTV) cameras etc. under Integrated Security System (ISS) over Indian Railways, out of which so far, CCTV cameras have been installed over 88 stations under ISS and at 114 stations installation of CCTVs is under process.(As many as 33423 RPF personnel are deployed at Railway Stations daily.)

The zone wise detail is appended. In addition on an average 2000 trains are escorted by RPF personnel daily. The escorts in long distance trains run in continuity in batches, covering the whole distance during the nights. Further RPSF is also deployed to strengthen security in vulnerable areas.

Government Railway Police (GRP) is a wing of State Police and functions within respective State boundaries. At present, about 38,000 GRP personnel are deployed by different States over Indian Railways. They are at stations as well as they escort 2200 nos. of trains daily.

2. Following information was given by the Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 03.08.2016.

At present, Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) have been installed at 344 railway stations over Indian Railways. Prevention and finding of crime, registration of cases and their examination over Railways is the statutory burden of States which is being discharged by them during the Government Railway Police (GRP).

Well-timed register of cases, quick inquiry, throughway organization among GRPs of particular States, etc. are important factors in tackling crime over Railways. Availability of CCTV cameras at railway stations may act as deterrent, however, absence of CCTV cameras is not a major factor in tackling crime at railway stations

Security has been recognized as one of the main concern areas by Railways for strengthening and up gradation of security system in Railway. CCTV surveillance system already forms part of an Integrated Security System (ISS) and 202 stations have been identified as sensitive for the purpose of installation of ISS. Railways have further planned to Surveillance System (VSS) at balance A1, A, B and C group 983 stations under Nirbhaya Fund. In addition, Railway Protection Force, (RPF) under the Ministry of Railways, supplements efforts of States to ensure security of passengers. in addition initiating physical security measures like escorting of trains, access control, rendering security related assistance through Security Helpline (182), action of offenders under relevant supplies of the Railways Act, RPF maintains close organization/liaison with GRPs of particular States to ensure crime over Railways.

CONCLUSION:

Can surveillance through CCTV cameras be successful in providing safety and security to Indian Railways and passengers?

In the background of the written respond of the Hon’ble State and Cabinet Railway Ministers duo Shri Manoj Sinha and Shri Suresh Prabhu, It is our measured view about CCTV does have a role to play in preventing offense and total approach to support safety and access to all public areas by all groups in a community. There is no doubt in our mind to believe that the new technologies of mass surveillance could be harnessed to give confidence participation rather than barring, reinforce personhood rather than diminish it, and be used for benevolent rather than malign purposes and that the way to achieve this is to institute proper systems of democratic accountability, control and oversight over the implementation and use of the technology of surveillance through CCTV cameras. Last but not the least the use of technology is successful in providing protection and security to Indian Railways and passengers up to convinced coverage.

REFERENCES:

1. “19^th Report on Passenger Amenities and Passenger Safety In Indian Railways”

2. Can Surveillance Cameras be Successful Paper presented at The Character, Impact and Prevention of Crime in Regional Australia Conference convened by the Australian Institute of Criminology and held in Townsville 2-3 August 2001.

3. National Rail and Underground Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Guidance Document

4. Information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 09^thDecember 2015

5. Information was given by the Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 03.08.2016

Received on 28.04.2017 Modified on 05.05.2017

Int. J. Ad. Social Sciences. 2017; 5(2):69-75.

DOI: 10.5958/2454-2679.2017.00006.8