Patna: With a view to strengthening railway security and ensuring greater transparency in policing, the railways has introduced GPS-enabled body-worn cameras for RPF personnel in the Samastipur division of the East Central Railway (ECR).According to ECR’s principal chief security commissioner-cum-IG RPF Amaresh Kumar, the initiative aims to enhance surveillance capabilities, improve passenger safety and enable better monitoring of RPF personnel while on duty. The division has already deployed 37 body cameras but an additional 20 GPS enabled devices have now been procured to ensure round-the-clock surveillance across railway stations and trains, he said.The newly introduced body-worn cameras are equipped with advanced GPS tracking technology and are directly linked to the master security control room at the ECR headquarters in Hajipur . This feature enables railway authorities to monitor and trace the exact location of RPF personnel in real time, thereby improving operational efficiency and accountability, Kumar said.The new devices will be particularly beneficial for RPF personnel deputed in the railway yard and train escort teams deployed on long-distance trains. The cameras will record interactions and incidents occurring during duty hours, providing evidence whenever required, he said, adding the system is expected to help security personnel respond more effectively to emergencies and maintain a higher level of vigilance.One of the major advantages of the new cameras is their enhanced memory card storage capacity allowing longer-duration recordings without interruption. “The recorded footage will prove useful in conducting impartial investigations into complaints, disputes or untoward incidents occurring within railway premises or aboard trains,” IG said .The initiative would also bring transparency in the functioning of RPF personnel. The availability of video records is expected to strengthen public confidence in railway security arrangements while ensuring accountability among field staff, he said, adding the railways has been continuously adopting modern technologies to bolster passenger safety and security.
