Western Railway GM inaugurates Infrared Intruder Alarm System and Surveillance Drones to ensure enhanced security

In a move to tighten the security at railway premises, Western Railway has adopted the latest technological advancements in the field of security such as the Artificial Intelligence based Infrared Intruder Alarm System as well as Surveillance Drones. Alok Kansal – General Manager of Western Railway inaugurated the Infrared Intruder Alarm System at RPF Zonal Armoury, Mahalaxmi as well as launched the first flight of the Surveillance drones at Railway Sports ground, Mahalaxmi on Thursday, 23rd September, 2021.

With the introduction of these technologies, the RPF department of WR will get an added advantage to combat and control various problems faced over Mumbai suburban section. GM also inspected the RPF barrack at Mahalaxmi and performed Shramdaan as part of the ongoing Swachhta Pakhwada. He further directed to improve the conditions of the barrack, provide them hygenic food, entertainment for keeping their morale high.

According to a Press Release issued by Sumit Thakur - Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Rly, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) based Intruder Alarm System operates with seven Infra-Red based CCTV camera feeds ensuring 360 Degree coverage of the facility. With AI based user interface software, the feeds are analysed on real time basis to detect any human presence in the area. AI is designed in such a way that it will detect only human presence in the set perimeter and ignores birds etc to avoid false alarm. The system has an added feature to send distress call, SMS or Mail to the security control to alert staff for quick response. With quick response time and 24 hours coverage with night vision capability, system will ensure that the area has a foolproof security.

Thakur further stated that the surveillance drones will help in keeping a bird's eye watch on railway assets, crowd management, disaster management. The drone also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) helps to attend remote areas at a minimum response time in case of any exigencies. They will be used for real time monitoring of sensitive crime prone locations, crowded areas, yard & remote locations, trespassing locations for better crime control and crowd management. Selected RPF Staff of the division have been trained to pilot the drones.

The UAV is capable of 25 minutes flight upto a range of 2KM at a height of upto 200 meters from Ground Level. The GPS based auto way point navigation system of UAV helps it to perform auto take off, guidance and landing and is capable to capture high resolution images with 5X optical zoom camera installed as payload. The system ensures failproof operation with its return to home feature which detects communication failures, low battery or even GPS failures. The system is equipped with terrain detection, geo fencing and no fly zone features.