Bhubaneswar: Crime and safety-related incidents at vulnerable railway locations under East Coast Railway (ECoR) have declined by nearly 80 per cent following the introduction of its solar-powered CCTV surveillance network, according to official data.
A comparison of incidents reported between January 1 and October 20 in 2025 and 2026 shows a sharp decline from 229 cases to 49, marking a reduction of around 79 per cent.
The data revealed that stone-pelting incidents dropped from 20 to three, while cable-cutting cases declined from 10 to three.
Alarm Chain Pulling (ACP) incidents witnessed a significant fall from 186 to 42.
Cases of sabotage and placement of foreign materials came down from two to zero, while theft of passenger belongings also declined to zero from two cases. Other crime cases fell from nine to one.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF), ECoR, has introduced EAGLANCE, a solar-powered CCTV surveillance system designed to strengthen security in remote, power-deficient and Naxal-affected areas.
The cameras, equipped with integrated lightning protection, have been installed at railway stations, level crossings, bridges, tunnels, yards and isolated stretches of railway tracks.
The system enables round-the-clock monitoring and recording, helping security personnel identify suspicious activities, initiate preventive measures and strengthen investigations.
It also aims to protect railway infrastructure and ensure passenger safety.
