India, Oct. 3 -- With crimes against women and vulnerable passengers on the rise, the Western Railway (WR) has intensified efforts to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras across its fleet of suburban trains. Simultaneously, WR is preparing to introduce its first senior citizen coach by Diwali, taking a cue from Central Railway (CR), which has already rolled out a similar facility.

Currently, CCTV coverage in WR trains is far from adequate. According to official figures, out of 1,415 coaches, only 226 are fitted with cameras - 147 ladies' coaches and 79 general coaches. This means just one-third of women's coaches and a meagre 8% of general coaches are under surveillance. Work is pending on 305 ladies' coaches and 884 general ...