
BENGALURU: To strengthen round-the-clock security at railway stations as well as ensure safety of women passengers, 31 railway stations in the South Western Railway (SWR) zone will be equipped with CCTV surveillance systems shortly. This forms part of the nationwide security system to be put in place in Indian Railways that will cover 983 stations under the Nirbhaya Fund.
The Nirbhaya Fund, a `1,000-crore corpus set up by the Ministry of Finance in 2013, supports initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security of women. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal ministry to appraise schemes under the fund.
Speaking to Express, Chief Public Relations Officer, SWR, E Vijaya, said, “At a cost of `25.4 crore, surveillance systems will be set up in the three Railways Divisions of the zone. Twelve stations in Hubballi, 11 in Bengaluru and eight stations in Mysuru will be covered.”
The work has been entrusted to Railtel.
“The tenders have been opened and are now under finalisation,” she said.
Cameras will be installed at platforms and waiting areas while trained Railway Protection Force will monitor CCTVs at control rooms, the official said.
It is for the first time that railways stations like Banaswadi, Kengeri, Berur, Arisikere, Toranagallu and Mandya will be equipped with surveillance facilities. At present, the Bengaluru Railway Division has 106 CCTVs with 71 of them at KSR station and 35 at Yesvantpur station with the RPF monitoring them.
At present, the Bengaluru Railway Division has 106 CCTVs with 71 of them at KSR station and 35 at Yesvantpur railway station.