Industry Odisha Bureau, Sept 26: East Coast Railway (ECoR) has reported an 83% decline in incidents at locations covered by its solar powered CCTV surveillance system. Notably, reported cases have fallen from 200 during January-August 2025 to 34 in the same period of 2026.
The comparative data shows a sharp reduction across several categories of railway-related incidents.
Alarm chain pulling cases declined from 158 to 29, marking an 82 percent reduction. Stone pelting incidents fell from 20 to three. Meanwhile, cable cutting cases dropped from 10 to one. Cases involving theft of passengers’ belongings declined from two to zero.
ECoR also reported a reduction in other crime cases from nine to one during the period. Cases involving the placement of external objects fell from one to zero.
The solar powered CCTV cameras have been installed at station premises, level crossings, bridges, isolated railway tracks, yards and other sensitive locations. The system allows continuous surveillance at places where conventional electricity supply may not be available.
The surveillance network provides real time monitoring and recorded footage. Meanwhile, drone surveillance has also strengthened crime detection, investigation and security responses.
Further, ECoR has also introduced the solar powered CCTV system as a pilot project and said the initiative has shown encouraging results. The model has subsequently attracted interest from other railway zones, which are adopting similar solar powered surveillance systems at vulnerable and sensitive locations.
