ECoR Solar CCTV Network Reduces Railway Crime by 79%; 1,006 Cameras Installed Across Three Divisions
Bhubaneswar, Nov 12 (UDN): Crime and safety-related incidents at vulnerable railway locations under the East Coast Railway (ECoR) have declined by nearly 80 per cent following the deployment of a solar-powered CCTV surveillance network, marking a significant improvement in railway security.
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According to official data, the number of reported incidents fell from 229 between January 1 and October 20, 2025, to 49 during the corresponding period in 2026, registering a reduction of approximately 79 per cent.
The decline has been recorded across several categories of offences. Stone-pelting incidents dropped sharply from 20 to three, while cable-cutting cases decreased from 10 to three. Cases involving sabotage and placement of foreign materials fell from two to zero, and theft of passengers’ belongings also declined from two cases to none.
Alarm Chain Pulling (ACP) incidents, which accounted for the largest share of reported cases, came down from 186 to 42. Other crime-related incidents also registered a significant fall, declining from nine to one.
The improvement has been attributed to the introduction of EAGLANCE, a sustainable solar-powered CCTV surveillance system developed by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of East Coast Railway. The system has been designed to strengthen security in remote, power-deficient and Naxal-affected areas where conventional surveillance infrastructure can be difficult to maintain.
The solar-powered cameras, equipped with integrated lightning protection, have been installed at railway stations, level crossings, bridges, tunnels, isolated railway stretches, yards and other identified vulnerable locations.
The network enables round-the-clock monitoring and real-time recording, helping security personnel detect suspicious activities, take preventive action and support investigations. It is also expected to improve the protection of critical railway infrastructure and enhance passenger safety.
Under Phase-I and Works and Maintenance (W&M) provisions, a total of 2,459 solar-powered CCTV cameras have been sanctioned across ECoR’s three divisions.
Of these, 1,006 cameras have already been installed. Khurda Road Division accounts for 543 installations, followed by 397 in Sambalpur Division and 66 in Rayagada Division.
Installation of the remaining 1,453 cameras is currently underway. This includes 500 cameras in Khurda Road Division, 350 in Rayagada Division and 603 in Sambalpur Division.
The initiative is part of East Coast Railway’s efforts to expand surveillance coverage and strengthen security arrangements, particularly along isolated and sensitive railway sections. With the installation of the remaining cameras, the railway zone expects to further improve monitoring and create a safer environment for passengers and railway operations.