KORAPUT

●        15 major stations of ECoR will have Video Surveillance System (VSS).

●        Project is being executed under the Nirbhaya Fund by Indian Railways.

●        The Work is scheduled likely to be completed by January 2023.

●        Need to rapidly absorb new technology in Railways: Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw

With an aim to strengthen the Security System at Railway Station premises, Indian Railways is going to implement Video Surveillance System (VSS) project (CCTV Cameras Network) under Nirbhaya Fund at 756 Railway Stations over the country including XXX Stations from ECoR jurisdiction. Executing the job through agency has also been finalized.

First phase of the project will cover major stations of category A1, A, B,C numbering 756 (The list of stations is attached) and is likely to be completed by January 2023. The remaining stations will be covered in phase-2 of implementation. Safety and security of passengers is o­ne of the key focus areas of Ministry of Railways. In order to enhance security at Railway stations which are major hubs of transportation, Indian Railways is in the process of installing Internet Protocol (IP) based Video Surveillance System (VSS) at stations, that is, waiting halls, reservation counters, parking areas, main entrance/ exit, platforms, foot over bridges, booking offices etc. Ministry of Railways has approved works for provision of Video Surveillance System over Indian Railways major stations under Nirbhaya funds.

Sh. Ashwani Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister for Railways said, "We Need to rapidly absorb new technology in Railways, be it for rolling stock, construction, safety, cyber security, or in situations where there is a human interface”.

Smt. Aruna Singh Chairman & Managing Director, RailTel assured that with the finalization of the executing agencies, the implementation of the project will be fast-tracked. The most modern software & hardware will be used in this project.

This VSS system will be IP based and will have a network of CCTV cameras. These CCTVs are being networked o­n optical fiber cable and the video feed of the CCTV cameras will be displayed not o­nly at local RPF posts but also at a centralized CCTV control room at divisional and zonal level. The CCTV cameras of stations and video feeds will be monitored at these 3 levels to ensure enhanced safety and security at Railway premises. The system comes with Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled Video Analytics Software and Facial Recognition Software which will help to detect known criminals triggering an alert when they enter station premises. Network Management System (NMS) has been also been provided for monitoring of Cameras, Server, UPS and Switches which can be viewed from any web browser by authorized personnel.

4 types of IP cameras (Dome type, bullet types, Pan Tilt Zoom type and Ultra HD- 4k) are being installed to ensure maximum coverage of the Railway premises.  This will give an extra edge to the RPF officials for ensuring enhanced security. The recording of the video feeds form CCTV cameras will be stored for 30 days.

Safety Features of this system:

The system implemented shall act as tool to respond to situations/incidents effectively, aiding faster decision making and act as a great learning for better preparedness to meet any incident and eventualities with some software based application like Video Analytic and Face Recognition, as per RDSO Version 6.0.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled analytics software have the following features with a certain alarm and PoP UP view at the Operator end.

a.Intrusion Detection (People entering in Railway Operation areas)

b.Camera Tampering

c.Loitering Detection

d.Human & Vehicle Detection

e.Search of Humans based o­n Attribute

f.Colour Search

g.Fallen Person.

h.Combination Search (Human/Vehicle &Colour)

·Facial Recognition System (FRS): The VSS (CCTV) system shall capture face images from live CCTV video feed and generate alerts, if blacklist match is found. FRS alerts should be pushed to the Video Management System/ NVR. (Seamlessly integrated with Video Management System /NVR).

•The VMS software will support Alarm Input monitoring and Output activation for the proposed IP Cameras. The VMS have the feature of mobile phones clients so that in case of any emergency, the authorized users can upload videos and snapshot to local VMS server from the registered mobile phones, which should include identification of location. Operator at centralized location shall have ability to view these alarms and playback video, if required, from stations. Operator at centralized location shall be able to push the alarms to selected RPF/Thana and registered mobile phone of concerned security officer.

•Panic Button: Two numbers of Panic Button are to be installed at each Platform. o­nce the Panic Button is activated by any person in distress, an alarm shall appear o­n the VMS along with the pop-up of the associated camera o­n the operator workstation. In case, associated camera is a PTZ type, the camera shall move and zoom o­n to the Panic Button to see the person in distress.

•The recording of the video feeds from CCTV cameras of Stations will be stored in the nearest RPF Thana/Post for 30 days for playback, post event analysis and for investigation purposes. Important videos to be stored for longer duration at Data Centre (by using 240TB storage) & RPF Thana/Post by using additional 10% storage (as per Railway’s requirement).

      For effective operations and management of IT Operations, an industry standard Enterprise Management System (EMS) has been provisioned for monitoring of VSS Equipment (Cameras, Switches, Server/Workstation, Storage, PC Workstations and UPS etc.). Some of the critical aspects of EMS are as follows:

a.Centralized and Integrated Dashboard View

b.Centralized and Customizable Service Level Reporting

c.Server/workstation Change, Provisioning & Configuration

d.Network Automation

e.Service Management (Helpdesk) & SLA Management

f.Centralized IT Asset Inventory discovery & tracking

g.Server/Workstation Monitoring

h.Network Fault & Performance Management

i.Penalty Monitoring and Management

Indian Railways is o­n job to transform railway stations into digital hub by providing public Wi-Fi at railway stations across the country and 6100+ stations are live with RailTel’s RailWire Wi-Fi.

Angul, Bhadrak, Brahmapur, Dhenkanal, Jajpur-Keonjhar Road, Khurda Road, Balangir, Sambalpur, Titlagarh JN., Koraput, Rayagada, Palasa, Jagdalpur, Srikakulam Road and Vizianagaram Stations in ECoR jurisdiction will have Video Surveillance System (VSS) under Nirbhaya Fund.

●        Priority to improve passenger facilities & amenities at Smaller Stations.

●        Infrastructure Developmental Works being monitored at the Highest Level.

●        Puri & Bhubaneswar Station will have World Class facilities. Tender floated, contract award to be done, soon.  

Indian Railways, the Life Line of the Country, is committed towards the all round development of the Nation. Indian Railways is also the harbinger of growth of Indian economy. Railways is not o­nly developing the infrastructure over its territory but also improving the travel experience of passengers.

Development of Railway infrastructure in the Eastern Coast of the Country, especially in Odisha, Railways is being given priority. Hon’ble Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji is also committed to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Odisha.

Running of 205 Special Trains for Rath Yatra Festival:

During the visit of Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister of Railways to Puri & Konark o­n 21st June, had declared to run 205 Special Trains to and from Puri during the Rath Yatra (Car Festival) period for the convenience of pilgrims. As, Rath Yatra was organized without pilgrims since last two years due to Covid-19 protocols, Railways have expected much more pilgrims will be gathered at Puri, this year. These apart, necessary steps have been taken to facilitate pilgrims with reserved Class Accommodation, for the trains leaving from its jurisdiction towards Puri and vice-versa, apart from the Special trains from neighbouring States.

Special Arrangements during Rath Yatra for Pilgrim’s Convenience:

Apart from the running of Special Trains, Shri Vaishnaw had directed officials to provide ever best service to the pilgrims and passengers during Rath Yatra Time. Keeping in view of the above, many facilities have been provided by East Coast Railway. These include Security arrangements, health and First Aid facilities, Additional Ticket Counters and accommodation of pilgrims along with other facilities.

For the security of passengers, more than 100 CCTV cameras have been installed in the station area. In addition to this drone cameras are being used for better monitoring of security arrangements. Railways have deployed more than 600 RPF personnel and 200 Rail Volunteers to provide safety & guidance to the pilgrims.

More than 40 Ticket Booking Counters, 10 UTS based Hand-Held Counters and many Mobile Counters have been installed for the rail passengers. For the very first time, arrangements have been made to sell Railway Tickets o­n Road Vehicles.

As per the directions of Hon’ble Minister Shri Vaishnaw, huge covered space has been arranged by the Railways to accommodate 15,000 devotees with Food Court, Drinking Water taps and Toilet facilities. Provisions have been made for Battery Operated Cars for Senior Citizens and disabled people. Free Food has also been arranged for about 50,000 needy pilgrims.

Resumption of Trains, which were cancelled since lockdown:

On passenger’s and general public demand for restoration of trains which were cancelled since Covid19 Lockdown/Shutdown; Hon’ble Railway Minister directed to restore the services of Puri-Sai Nagar Shirdi-Puri Express, Puri-Paradeep-Puri Express, Cuttack-Bhadrak-Cuttack MEMU Special, Visakhapatnam-Koraput-Visakhapatnam Intercity, Visakhapatnam-Brahmapur-Visakhapatnam Express, Palasa-Cuttack-Palasa Passenger Special and Puri-Talcher-Puri MEMU Special.

Rajdhani like Coaches for Safer and comfortable journey:

To provide better comfort and jerk free journey to the passengers, Shri Vaishnaw had announced the introduction of more Rajdhani type LHB coaches in the trains of this region. These fire retardant, low maintenance, higher passenger carrying capacity, safer & comfortable coaches have now been introduced in the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Duronto Express, Puri-Hatia Tapaswini Express, Visakhapatnam-Kirandul Express, Bhubaneswar-Bengaluru Prashanti Express and Bhubaneswar-Anand Vihar (Delhi) Super Fast Express within a very short period.  

Monitoring of o­ngoing projects at the highest level:

The major and public centric Railway projects in Odisha are being monitored at the highest level under the supervision of Prime Minister’s Office. Shri Vaishnaw has also instructed railway officials to keep regular touch with the State Government officials for early land acquisition, land clearance of different departments; so that the o­ngoing projects will be completed at the earliest.

As a result, the construction of Khurda Road-Balangir New Line is going o­n in full swing. Completion of other projects including doubling and tripling of line has also been given priority.

World Class Facilities at Bhubaneswar & Puri Stations:

Shri Vaishnaw had assured to provide World Class Facilities and getups at Bhubaneswar and Puri Railway Stations. Now, the tender has been floated for both the projects and opened for Puri project in last week of June and will be awarded very soon.