Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Rajya Sabha that putting CCTV cameras inside train engines (locomotives) is not a violation of privacy. This statement came after the government proposed adding a crew voice and video recording system in engine cabins. However, some opposition leaders raised concerns about privacy and safety.
Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev questioned whether the Railway Ministry had planned any steps to protect the privacy of loco pilots. She also said that people fear the authorities might use the recordings to punish staff instead of helping them.
Minister’s Clarification on Surveillance
In response, Minister Vaishnaw said the main reason behind installing CCTV cameras is to improve the safety and security of train operations. He added that the cameras will support loco pilots rather than invade their privacy. The team will use the footage for better training and to find out what went wrong during incidents.
Concerns Over Train Food Quality
Members of Parliament also raised concerns about the poor food quality served on trains. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) received over 6,600 complaints about food. The Railway Ministry fined more than 1,300 food suppliers and issued nearly 3,000 warnings and advisories in other cases.
Vaishnaw said the ministry will take strict action against anyone who serves spoiled or unhygienic food. According to official data, there were 7,026 complaints in 2023-24, 4,421 in 2022-23, and 1,082 in 2021-22.
Steps to Improve Food on Trains
To fix the food quality issues, the ministry is making changes in how food is prepared and served. These improvements include installing CCTV cameras in base kitchens, using branded ingredients, and hiring Food Safety Supervisors to ensure cleanliness and hygiene.
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