NEW DELHI, Aug 13: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday briefed Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on the functioning of the Railway Board’s War Room at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi.
During their visit, Vaishnaw demonstrated how the facility combines live station feeds, artificial intelligence-based tools and railway operational data to help officials monitor activities and respond to emerging situations, according to the Railway Ministry.
The facility provides real time visual feeds from railway stations across the country, covering platforms, foot overbridges and areas surrounding station premises. Officials can access individual camera feeds and zoom in on specific locations when closer monitoring is required.
The system also uses technology to analyse information and respond to prompts related to incidents at particular locations. This enables railway authorities to obtain relevant details quickly and assess situations more effectively.
Officials said the facility becomes particularly useful during festivals, rush hours and other occasions that witness heavy passenger movement. By monitoring activity across multiple stations, railway teams can track changing crowd patterns and take preventive measures when necessary.
The monitoring system also covers train operations. Officials can track train movements and identify delays, while available information can help determine the reasons behind disruptions. Railway authorities can then assess the situation and decide on appropriate measures to minimise the impact on services.
From Kumbh Mela Monitoring to Nationwide Network
The War Room began operations in January 2025 ahead of the Kumbh Mela, when it was used to monitor crowds at and around nine railway stations in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Following its initial deployment, the system was expanded and is now connected with major railway stations across the country. The facility provides officials with live information that can support crowd management, operational monitoring and timely intervention.
The Railway Ministry said Rijiju and Mandaviya received a firsthand demonstration of the technology and appreciated the initiative. The facility is intended to strengthen the Railways’ ability to monitor passenger activity, track train operations and respond promptly to situations requiring attention.