Enhanced Security Setup Planned at Chandigarh Railway Station

In a decisive move to reinforce public safety and modernize critical infrastructure, Northern Railway has announced an ambitious and comprehensive security overhaul of the Chandigarh Railway Station. The plan for Chandigarh Railway Station security upgrade, set to unfold in stages beginning late 2025, aims to transform the bustling transport hub into one of the most secure and technologically advanced railway stations in northern India.

The decision comes amid a growing emphasis on ensuring passenger safety in the face of rising footfalls, urban threats, and outdated surveillance infrastructure. Chandigarh’s strategic position as a gateway between Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh makes it a high-priority location for enhanced vigilance and monitoring.

The makeover includes facial recognition systems, AI-integrated CCTV cameras, biometric entry gates, and intelligent baggage scanners, aiming to improve security operations and enhance the passenger experience.

“This is not just about installing cameras or door frame metal detectors. We are creating a smart security ecosystem that’s proactive, data-driven, and capable of real-time threat detection,” said S.K. Saxena, Divisional Railway Manager of the Ambala Division under Northern Railway.

Key Highlights at a Glance

• Announcement Date: July 2025
• Project Scope: End-to-end security upgrade of Chandigarh Railway Station
• Implementing Body: Northern Railway in collaboration with Railway Protection Force (RPF), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and local law enforcement
• Key Features:
  • AI-powered, high-resolution CCTV network (250+ cameras)
  • Biometric and facial recognition-based entry gates
  • X-ray baggage scanner installation with threat-identification software
  • Enhanced boundary security with motion sensors and LED lighting
  • Revamped RPF Command and Control Room
• Estimated Investment: ₹22 crore (INR)
• Execution Timeline: October 2025 – July 2026
• Objective: Enhance passenger safety, prevent unauthorized access, and support smart city surveillance goals

Why This Move Is Needed

Surging Footfall and Urban Expansion

Over 40,000 passengers use the Chandigarh railway station each day, increasing pressure on its ageing security system. The station serves as a vital rail link for commuters, tourists, students, and business travelers from across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi.

Recent data from Indian Railways highlights a 27% increase in passenger traffic at the station over the past five years. The growth causes overcrowding during peak hours, longer queues at entry points, and greater vulnerability to petty crimes including pickpocketing, unclaimed baggage and trespassing.

In 2023, the RPF registered 83 cases involving unauthorized platform entries and suspicious baggage alerts.

These incidents exposed critical gaps in surveillance and response systems without escalating into serious threats.

What Will Change: A Deep Dive into Planned Upgrades

1. Smart Surveillance Network

• Authorities will install a total of 250 high-definition CCTV cameras with AI-based analytics across the station, covering platforms, waiting halls, entrances, parking zones, food plazas, ticket counters, and footbridges.
• The enhanced CCTV surveillance system improves real-time monitoring and incident response. These cameras will feature facial recognition technology (FRT), enabling real-time identification of persons flagged by security agencies.
• Night vision capabilities and intelligent motion tracking enable continuous monitoring in low-light or blackout conditions.
• All data will feed into an advanced control center, manned 24/7 by trained RPF personnel.

“Our surveillance infrastructure has long been overdue for an upgrade. This will make monitoring more efficient and significantly reduce response time in emergencies,” said Inspector G.S. Bhullar, who heads the RPF unit at Chandigarh.

2. Biometric and Facial Access Control

• Railway authorities will install biometric turnstiles at entry points, where passengers will scan their tickets along with fingerprint or facial data for verification.
• This system aims to curb unauthorized entries and identify high-risk individuals before they access the premises.
• Authorities will require non-traveling visitors to obtain special digital entry passes and undergo separate screening.

“It’s about balancing convenience and security. We’re not trying to make entry harder, but smarter and safer,” added Saxena.

3. Advanced Baggage Scanning

• AI-powered X-ray baggage scanners will replace the older machines currently deployed at the station.
• The scanners use pattern recognition software to identify weapons, explosives, and restricted materials.
• A risk-based screening approach will be adopted where certain baggage may be flagged for random secondary checks.

“It’s not about checking every bag—it’s about identifying the right bags,” said Preeti Mahajan, a technology consultant with RailTel involved in procurement.

4. Infrastructure and Perimeter Fortification

• The authorities will reinforce the boundary walls around the station and equip them with motion sensor alarms to detect and deter trespassing.
• Authorities will illuminate the entire station area with energy-efficient LED lighting, covering dark corners, service lanes, and parking bays.
• Railway authorities plan to pilot platform edge sensors to reduce the risk of accidental falls during rush hours or at night.

Local Response: Hope, Caution, and Some Concerns

The announcement drew a largely positive response from passengers and the local business community. Concerns emerged about possible disruptions during the installation phase.

Passengers Speak

• “I travel from Chandigarh to Delhi every week. I often notice unattended bags on platforms. With new cameras and scanners, I will feel a lot safer,” said Amanpreet Kaur, a regular traveler.
• “Just last month, someone stole my phone while I was boarding. If there were better cameras, the culprit could have been caught,” said Ravi Singh, a postgraduate student.

Local Vendors & Residents

Nearby shopkeepers welcome the security enhancements but express concerns about accessibility during the construction period.

• “They need to plan in phases. If they shut down large areas at once, it’ll impact our business,” said Rajiv Malhotra, who runs a food stall near Platform 1.

National Context: Part of a Larger Modernization Push with Political Stakes

The Chandigarh station upgrade is part of the Indian Railways’ broader redevelopment initiative under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, an ambitious project supported by the BJP-led central government, aiming to transform 1,309 stations across the country ahead of key state and national elections.

Major stations like Bhopal, Lucknow, and Jaipur, located in politically significant states, are receiving smart security upgrades featuring AI surveillance tools, biometric systems, and centralized data infrastructure. These measures reinforce the government’s emphasis on tech-driven governance.

In tandem, the Ministry of Railways, in coordination with the NCRB, Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Smart City Missions, is pushing for interoperable security platforms that allow better coordination across state borders—an effort often highlighted in campaign speeches by ruling party leaders to showcase their commitment to national security and infrastructure.

“Railways are no longer just about trains. They are about smart transit, urban security, and national safety,” said Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Railway Minister and BJP spokesperson, at a recent event, reflecting how infrastructure is becoming a focal point in the 2024-25 election narrative.

Potential Challenges and Roadblocks

1. Coordination Across Agencies

Multiple authorities will be involved in planning and execution—including the RPF, local police, municipal bodies, technology vendors, and national cybersecurity agencies. Coordination among them could prove challenging.

2. Training of On-Ground Staff

With such a high-tech system being implemented, training railway staff, guards, and surveillance officers to efficiently use and maintain the new systems will be essential.

• As per internal reports, over 180 RPF officers and 120 station staff will undergo training in AI surveillance and cyber monitoring.

3. Data Privacy and Surveillance Ethics

With facial recognition and biometric scanning becoming central to the upgrade, concerns are expected over data privacy and the ethical use of surveillance.

• Advocacy groups have urged the government to release clear data protection protocols and refrain from storing unnecessary personal data.

Conclusion

The enhanced security setup planned for Chandigarh Railway Station is a forward-looking initiative that combines the latest in AI surveillance, biometric authentication, and intelligent infrastructure—positioning it as a benchmark in Railway station security upgrades across the country. The initiative reflects Indian Railways’ commitment to passenger safety and modern infrastructure and sets a new benchmark for comprehensive railway station safety measures nationwide.

The success of the initiative depends on timely implementation, public awareness, operational discipline, and ethical use of the introduced systems.

With rising security challenges and growing commuter expectations, this overhaul could well represent the beginning of a new era in Indian railway travel—one that places safety, innovation, and accountability at the very center of the journey.