Indian Railways Delhi division may install CCTV cameras at manned level crossings

The plan to install CCTV cameras at manned level crossings was reportedly suggested almost six months ago in a zonal railways meeting with the Railway Board to provide security to the gatemen, who are usually alone at odd hours in isolated areas.

Notably, CCTV cameras were installed at 11 manned gates at the South Central Railway zone as a pilot project. Image source: Youtube

In the wake of the horrific recent incident in which a hand of a gateman were hacked by three motorcycle-borne assailants, Indian Railways is mulling to install CCTV cameras at all its manned level crossings. The episode took place near Delhi-Haryana border when the victim refused to open the Railway crossing gate.

According to reports, 28-year-old Kundan Pathak of Bishanpur in Bihar's Banka district was manning gate number 19 between Narela and Rathdhana on Monday when three armed men reached the place and pressurised him to open the level crossing gate. When he did not, they assaulted him. The gateman underwent a four-hour surgery at a hospital in Rohini where his limb was reattached.

The plan to install CCTV cameras at manned level crossings was reportedly suggested almost six months ago in a zonal railways meeting with the Railway Board to provide security to the gatemen, who are usually alone at odd hours in isolated areas.

Notably, CCTV cameras were installed at 11 manned gates at the South Central Railway zone as a pilot project.

However, despite recommendations, the plan to expand it to all manned crossings never materialised, reported PTI quoting source.

Railways has more than 19,000 manned level crossings across its network.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognisance of media reports, and issued notices to the Railways and the Haryana government seeking a detailed report of the incident within four weeks.

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The Railway Board chairperson has also been asked to provide information about steps to be taken, if not already taken, to prevent such attacks, said the report.

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