Railway TTEs will now check tickets using cameras; all interactions and arguments with passengers will be recorded..

Ticket inspections on trains will now be conducted under camera surveillance. TTEs (Travelling Ticket Examiners) will wear a camera on their uniforms that records video footage of interactions between the TTE and the passenger. In the event of an argument or dispute, the footage can be reviewed to determine who was at fault, and a decision will be made accordingly. This initiative has already been launched as a pilot project and could be implemented nationwide in a phased manner. Dr. Shivam Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of North Central Railway (NCR), shared this information with NDTV.

He stated that Indian Railways has decided to equip its ticket-checking staff (TTEs) with body-worn cameras. Railway personnel will now wear these cameras as part of their uniforms while on duty; the devices will record all conversations and activities during ticket inspections in both video and audio formats.

Where has the pilot project been launched?
Railways recently launched this system as a pilot project in the Prayagraj Division of North Central Railway (NCR). According to officials, the initiative has been introduced on two trains following specific instructions from General Manager Naresh Pal Singh. These trains are the 12417/12418 Prayagraj Express (Prayagraj–New Delhi–Prayagraj) and the 12451/12452 Shram Shakti Express (Kanpur–New Delhi–Kanpur).

In the first phase, cameras will be provided to the ticket-checking staff on these trains. If the pilot project proves successful, it will be implemented in a phased manner across other trains in the Prayagraj Division. Currently, 30 cameras have been issued to the staff, and personnel from both trains are undergoing training for their use.

What makes body-worn cameras significant?
These are compact cameras worn by employees on their uniforms. During ticket inspections, the camera records both video and audio of the entire process. These body-worn cameras come with several key features. This is a high-definition video recording camera equipped with audio recording capabilities and night vision for recording in low-light conditions; it also offers long battery backup suitable for long-distance journeys. It features a tamper-proof recording system to ensure that the recorded footage cannot be altered.

Dr. Shivam Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of North Central Railway (NCR), stated, "This new initiative will provide passengers with a safer and more transparent travel experience. It will also modernize the ticket-checking system, making it more effective and reliable." According to the official, if this pilot project proves successful, it will be implemented in phases across other trains within the North Central Railway zone.

What will change with body-worn cameras?
There have been numerous instances of disputes arising between passengers and ticket-checking staff during ticket inspections. In such cases, it is often difficult to determine who is in the right. The Indian Railway Ticket Checking Staff Organization (IRTCSO) had also expressed concern regarding this issue and demanded the immediate introduction of cameras.

A senior Railway Board official mentioned that there had been a long-standing demand for such cameras. Consequently, the initiative was initially implemented as a pilot project in select divisions of the Central Railway (CR) and South East Central Railway (SECR) zones. Following the project's success in those areas, it has now been introduced in the Prayagraj Division of North Central Railway. Currently, we are gradually rolling this out in select trains across various divisions nationwide in a phased manner. If the results are positive, it will be implemented across the entire railway network in the country.

Benefits for both railway staff and passengers
This new system ensures that the recorded footage will clearly reveal the facts of any situation, ensuring accountability for the party at fault. Many railway employees felt they were often subjected to false accusations and fabricated complaints; this system will provide them with protection. Furthermore, it will allow for an impartial review of their conduct and performance while on duty, while also boosting their sense of security and confidence. This move will also benefit the railway administration. A key advantage is that a digital record of the ticket-checking process will be available. 

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and investigative agencies will gain access to video evidence regarding security incidents, suspicious activities, and law-and-order issues. Furthermore, the use of digital technology will foster good governance, transparency, and accountability within the railway administration. It will also strengthen Indian Railways' positive image and further boost passenger trust.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from NDTV India. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.