Lok Sabha Question No. 4635 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: CCTV Surveillance at MRTS and Suburban Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dayanidhi Maran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4635

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2023

## CCTV SURVEILLANCE AT MRTS AND SUBURBAN STATIONS

## 4635. SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry has taken note of media reports that many Mass  Rapid  Transit  System  (MRTS)  and  Suburban  stations  are exposed  to  the  risk  of  anti-social  activities  due  to  the  lack  of lighting  and  surveillance  and  if  so,  the  steps  being  taken  to correct these issues;
- (b) the steps taken by the Ministry for the maintenance of cleanliness,  better  lighting  and  improved  sanitation  facilities  at MRTS  stations  in  Chennai  along  with  the  funds  allocated  for these projects in the last five years;
- (c) whether  the  Ministry  has  any  plans  or  proposals  to  provide comprehensive  security  mechanisms  and  CCTV  surveillance  at all MRTS and Suburban stations and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Ministry has any proposals to increase the presence of female security personnel at stations or other steps to boost confidence for working women travelling during late hours and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  4635  BY  SHRI  DAYANIDHI  MARAN  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 29.03.2023 REGARDING CCTV SURVEILLANCE AT MRTS AND SUBURBAN STATIONS

(a) to (d) 'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are  State  subjects  under  the Seventh  Schedule  to  the  Constitution  of  India  and,  therefore,  State Governments are responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation  of  crime  and  maintenance  of  law  and  order  on  Railways through their law enforcement agencies viz. Government Railway Police (GRP)/District  Police.  Railway  Protection  Force  (RPF)  supplements  the efforts of GRP/District Police to provide better protection and security to railway  property,  passenger  area  and  passengers  and  for  matters connected  therewith.  However,  provision  for  security  infrastructure, lighting and facilities for conducting surveillance are being provided by Indian Railways. Provision of such infrastructure/facilities is an ongoing process and is being reviewed from time to time in consultation with all stakeholders.  Mass  Rapid  Transit  System  (MRTS)  Stations  in  Southern Railway  and  Suburban  Railway  Stations  in  Indian  Railways  have  been provided with adequate lighting arrangements. Additional lighting arrangements i.e. 20 meter high mast, octagonal posts, 30W LED lights, 80W lights, 90W lights and 200 W lights have been provided over MRTS section at an estimated expenditure of ` 1.87 Cr.

Works for provision of CCTV surveillance have been sanctioned at all stations (except halt stations) of Indian Railways including suburban stations.  Presently  13  stations  of  MRTS  are  covered  under  CCTV surveillance.

## Year-wise funds allocated is as under:-

| Year                       | Funds Allocated          |
|----------------------------|--------------------------|
| 2018-19                    | ` 14,92,330/-            |
| 2019-2020 (upto Feb '2020) | ` 14,92,330/-            |
| Mar 2020- June 2021        | ` 30,000/- per station   |
| July 2021- Mar 2022        | ` 1,00,000/- per station |
| 2022-23                    | ` 1,00,000/- per station |

So far as the presence of female security personnel are concerned, recruitment of 4078 and 298 lady Constables and Sub-Inspectors respectively in RPF has been completed recently increasing the percentage of women in RPF from 3% to 9%.

In addition, the following measures including infrastructural measures  in  Suburban  Railway  system/MRTS  are  being  taken  by  the Railways for security and safety of passengers including  women passengers:-

1. Electrical  Multiple  Unit  (EMU)  trains  for  suburban  services  have been provided with separate ladies coaches.
2. Flasher  lights  have  also  been  provided  in  ladies  coaches  in  EMU rakes in some zonal railways. When the alarm chain of the coach will  be  pulled,  these  lights  will  start  blinking  and  buzzer  will  start sounding till resetting of alarm chain.
3. Grills  have  been  provided  in  the  ladies  compartment  windows  in EMU coaches to avoid chain snatching etc.
4. Regular  drives  are  conducted  from  time  to  time  against  entry  of male  passengers  into  the  compartments  reserved  for  ladies  and action is taken against offenders as per extant legal provisions.

5. Mixed  escorts  consisting  of  combined  strength  of  male  &  female RPF/RPSF personnel are deployed on vulnerable trains for security of passengers.
6. For immediate assistance passengers can make complaint on Rail Madad Portal directly  or  through  Helpline  Number  139  (integrated with National Emergency No. 112).
7. Railways  are  in  regular  touch  with  passengers  including  women passengers  through  various  social  media  platforms  viz.  twitter, facebook, Koo etc., to address their security concerns.
8. State  Level  Security  Committee  of  Railways  (SLSCR)  have  been constituted for all State/Union Territories under the Chairmanship of respective Director General of Police/Commissioner of States/Union Territories for regular monitoring and review of security arrangements of the Railways.

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