January 29, 2026: Western Railway has initiated a major surveillance upgrade across Mumbai’s suburban rail network, announcing the installation of CCTV cameras at 200 locations spanning 37 stations. The move comes amid a rise in incidents involving passenger misconduct, verbal abuse and physical assaults on ticket-checking and booking staff, officials said.
According to a report by Mid-Day, the new CCTV system will also strengthen internal oversight by enabling the vigilance department to closely monitor ticket-checking operations. Officials from the Mumbai Central Division of Western Railway said CCTV infrastructure worth Rs 25.81 crore is being deployed across ticket offices, booking counters and other high-interaction passenger zones.
The initiative is aimed at improving safety for frontline railway staff who operate in overcrowded environments and frequently face fare-related disputes. Ticket clerks and checking personnel are often subjected to aggressive behaviour, particularly when passengers are fined for ticket violations on the heavily used suburban network. Railway authorities believe enhanced surveillance will act as a deterrent while also providing crucial evidence in case of untoward incidents.
The CCTV rollout has been planned across multiple critical touchpoints. At 29 Passenger Reservation System (PRS) centres and 31 Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS)-cum-PRS stations, cameras will be installed at a cost of Rs 7.12 crore, bolstering security at some of the network’s busiest ticketing hubs.
In addition, 68 UTS stations will receive CCTV coverage under a Rs 12.39 crore allocation. Officials expect this measure to help curb ticketless travel, threats, verbal abuse and physical intimidation, especially in areas where booking clerks handle cash transactions and confront fare disputes on a daily basis.
Further, 40 Head Ticket Collector (TC) offices and Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) lobbies will be equipped with surveillance systems at an estimated cost of Rs6.30 crore. This step is expected to significantly improve staff safety during peak hours and late-night shifts, when tensions among commuters tend to run high.
Railway officials said the phased installation reflects Western Railway’s broader focus on passenger and staff security, accountability and safer workplace conditions across Mumbai’s suburban rail system.
