Artificial intelligence is set to play a bigger role in railway security after Pune Railway Station rolled out an AI-powered surveillance network capable of identifying known criminals in around 90 seconds.
The new system combines facial recognition, real-time video analytics and crowd monitoring to strengthen passenger safety at one of Maharashtra’s busiest transport hubs.
Railway officials said the technology will help security teams respond faster to threats while also assisting in tracing missing people and managing overcrowding.
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AI Surveillance to Strengthen Railway Security
The Pune Railway Division has installed 160 AI-enabled CCTV cameras across the station, taking the total number of surveillance cameras on the premises to 235.
The new cameras have been positioned at platforms, entry and exit gates, station corridors, foot overbridges and the Pune Metro integration area to ensure near-complete coverage. They also include 4K high-definition and night-vision capabilities for clearer images in low-light conditions.
Unlike conventional CCTV systems, the AI platform analyses live video feeds & compares faces against a database maintained by the Railway Protection Force (RPF).
If a match is detected with a known offender, the system automatically alerts the RPF control room, allowing personnel to respond in roughly 90 seconds, according to officials.
Beyond Criminal Detection
The AI system is designed for more than identifying suspects. Once the photograph of a missing person is uploaded following a complaint, the cameras can spot that individual anywhere within the station & immediately notify security teams.
The platform further monitors crowd density at busy locations such as foot overbridges & generates alerts if passenger numbers reach unsafe levels, helping authorities prevent congestion-related incidents.
Pune Railway Station handles an average daily footfall of around 1.6 lakh passengers, making continuous surveillance a critical requirement. Officials said the existing 75 older CCTV cameras will be phased out over the coming months as the AI-based network becomes fully operational.
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Railway Officials See Long-Term Benefits
“The upgraded surveillance network overcomes the shortcomings of older CCTV systems, which often failed to capture images clear enough for identification.”
-Hemant Kumar Behera, Divisional Commercial Manager and Public Relations Officer.
He further added that the AI-enabled cameras are expected to improve passenger safety, strengthen crime prevention and provide round-the-clock monitoring across the station.
The deployment reflects a wider shift towards AI-powered public safety, facial recognition, and smart surveillance across India’s transport infrastructure. As passenger volumes continue to rise, railway authorities are increasingly relying on intelligent monitoring systems to improve security while enabling faster, data-driven responses to potential threats.
Samarjit Kaur is a journalist and communications professional covering technology & emerging digital trends. With a focus on clarity and context, she reports on developments shaping industries and governance. When not reporting, she chooses to plug-in and relax on her playlists and plan her next bucket-list trips!
