Northeast Frontier Railway Installs 135 AI Cameras and Panic Buttons at Guwahati Station for Enhanced Security

The Guwahati railway station has undergone a significant security enhancement with the installation of 135 AI-powered CCTV cameras and 20 strategically placed panic buttons. This initiative, undertaken by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NF Railway), is part of a broader plan to modernise surveillance infrastructure across its network, ensuring improved passenger safety and better operational control.

The new surveillance system is equipped with advanced artificial intelligence features such as facial recognition and intrusion detection. These capabilities enable the system to identify known criminals and automatically alert the authorities if suspicious activity is detected or if any camera is tampered with. This enhances the ability of railway authorities to prevent crimes and respond swiftly to security threats.

Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of NF Railway, confirmed the launch of the AI-based surveillance system at Guwahati station. He stated that the 135 cameras have been installed at key points throughout the station to ensure maximum coverage and security.

To complement this technological upgrade, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has established a dedicated control room at the station for 24/7 monitoring. This control room is responsible for managing the surveillance system and responding promptly to alerts generated either by the AI system or via panic buttons. The panic buttons, installed in 20 critical locations, allow passengers in distress to send immediate alerts to the authorities, prompting a rapid and coordinated response.

In a further move to bolster security and efficiency, a new Escort Mobilisation Hall has been inaugurated at Guwahati station. This facility serves as a central hub for coordinating the deployment of RPF personnel, particularly during emergencies. It is designed to ensure that security forces are mobilised quickly and effectively in response to any incident, enhancing the overall safety environment at the station, which is among the busiest in the region.

NF Railway’s broader modernisation plan includes the gradual rollout of similar surveillance upgrades at other important stations, including Haiborgaon. While cameras have already been installed at Haiborgaon, additional features such as panic buttons and further safety mechanisms are set to follow. Sharma noted that Guwahati was chosen as the pilot location for the technology, with future expansion planned across the railway network.

Currently, more than 1,000 surveillance cameras are operational across 50 key railway stations under the NF Railway’s jurisdiction. These upgrades are part of a systematic effort to increase security and enhance passenger confidence throughout the region’s railway infrastructure.

Beyond station premises, NF Railway has extended its safety initiatives to level crossing gates. High-resolution CCTV cameras have been installed at 28 level crossing gates, while 28 such crossings have been eliminated in the past year through the construction of overbridges and underpasses. According to Sharma, these developments are aimed at improving overall safety and reducing accidents at railway crossings.

Overall, the security upgrades at Guwahati railway station represent a significant step forward in the use of modern technology to enhance passenger safety, streamline emergency responses, and strengthen the railway's operational framework across Northeast India.