The Railway Board has ordered the installation of CCTV cameras at stations and railway yards across the country. This decision follows the discovery of a suspicious IP camera near Sarai railway station in Muzaffarpur. The move aims to tighten security at critical points, especially in sensitive signal areas that currently lack surveillance.
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What happened at Muzaffarpur Sarai station
On May 9, 2026, a solar-powered IP camera with a 4G SIM was found on a signal tower near Sarai railway station by gateman Santosh Kumar. Initially, there were fears of a terror connection as the camera could be operated remotely from Karnataka. However, Rail SP Veena Kumari later clarified that the camera was installed by the Karnataka Police to track a hardcore criminal. The agency admitted to installing it without prior notification.
How will railway security be upgraded
Following this incident, the Railway Board and RPF have initiated several security measures to prevent unauthorized surveillance and crime. The updates include:
- CCTV cameras will be installed in all railway yards and sensitive signal zones nationwide.
- RPF DG Sonali Mishra has asked all zonal security commissioners for progress reports.
- RLDA will install a dozen cameras on platforms 1-8 at Muzaffarpur Junction to stop theft.
- CCTV cameras will be fitted in 500 coaches of 20 trains running from North Bihar to curb smuggling.
Key officials and agencies involved in the probe
| Agency/Official | Role/Action |
|---|---|
| Railway Board | Ordered nationwide CCTV installation |
| RPF IG Amresh Kumar | Ordered audit of all existing cameras in 5 divisions |
| DRM Jyoti Prakash Mishra | Requested camera reports from all Samastipur division stations |
| Karnataka Police | Confirmed camera was for criminal tracking |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are CCTV cameras being installed in railway yards?
The Railway Board took this step after a suspicious IP camera was found at Muzaffarpur’s Sarai station, aiming to secure sensitive signal areas and prevent unauthorized surveillance.
Will cameras be installed inside trains as well?
Yes, CCTV cameras will be installed in 500 coaches of 20 trains operating from North Bihar to reduce theft and smuggling.