CCTV cameras, talk-back systems: Mumbai locals to get safer
What's the story
Mumbai locals under the Western Railway (WR) might soon have close circuit television (CCTV) cameras and talk-back systems to ensure greater safety of the 3.5 million people who use it for daily commute. According to a Hindustan Times report, the WR has proposed a Rs. 123-crore plan to the Railway Board, the policy-making body. Read on to know more.
Mitigating crisis
After Elphinstone Road station stampede, passenger-safety railways ministry's top priority
The Elphinstone Road station stampede on September 29, which killed 23 commuters and injured several others, has jolted the railways ministry into action. The proposal was reportedly drafted after marathon meetings chaired by union railway minister Piyush Goyal. CCTVs and talk-back systems have already been installed in a few coaches on an experimental basis. The WR currently runs about 100 trains.
Details
New safety measures to cost government Rs. 123 crore
With eight CCTVs in each WR local-train coach, the installation process is expected to cost about Rs. 111 crore. The talk-back system fitments will cost another Rs. 12 crore. Installed in the women's compartments, they will allow them to directly communicate with the train guard, in case of emergencies. Railway officials have been given a 15-month deadline to complete the project.
Do you know?
First air-conditioned local to run on Western Line from January
Piyush Goyal announced last month the launch of Western Line's first AC train on January 1, 2018. Providing seven services daily, the train's fares would be either like the Delhi Metro or about 1.5 times the cost of first class tickets of the existing locals.