Union Government Plans AI-Based Facial Recognition Systems at 7 Railway Stations to Curb Crimes Against Women

Strategic Insights -

The Union Government has informed the Supreme Court that it plans to set up artificial intelligence-based facial recognition systems at seven major railway stations, including Mumbai CST and New Delhi, to curb crimes against women. The number of sexual offenders recorded in the National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO) has crossed the 20-lakh mark. The government has also implemented safe city projects in eight cities, focusing on improving safety infrastructure by installing CCTV cameras with facial recognition or automatic number plate recognition, smart lighting systems, and drones. The Integrated Emergency Response Management System (IERMS) has been made operational in 499 out of 983 major railway stations, ensuring 24X7 security for women passengers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Union Government plans to set up AI-based facial recognition systems at seven major railway stations, including Mumbai CST and New Delhi, to curb crimes against women.
  • The number of sexual offenders recorded in the National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO) has crossed the 20-lakh mark.
  • Safe city projects have been implemented in eight cities, focusing on improving safety infrastructure by installing CCTV cameras with facial recognition or automatic number plate recognition, smart lighting systems, and drones.
  • The Integrated Emergency Response Management System (IERMS) has been made operational in 499 out of 983 major railway stations, ensuring 24X7 security for women passengers.
  • As of date, the National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO) has 20.28 lakh entries available for use by all police stations and law-enforcement agencies in the country.
  • National Crime Records Bureau statistics show a spike in crimes against women from 58.8 per lakh in 2018 to 66.4 per lakh in 2022.
  • The safe city projects have been implemented in eight cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Lucknow.
  • The government plans to expand the installation of AI-based facial recognition systems at seven major railway stations.

Statistics:

  • 20.28 lakh: The number of sexual offenders recorded in the National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO) as of date.
  • 499: The number of major railway stations where the Integrated Emergency Response Management System (IERMS) has been made operational.
  • 983: The total number of major railway stations in the country.
  • 740: The number of CCTV cameras installed across 67 stations in the Konkan Railway Network.
  • 58.8 per lakh: The number of crimes against women reported in 2018.
  • 66.4 per lakh: The number of crimes against women reported in 2022.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
  • Supreme Court of India
  • National Crime Records Bureau
  • Times of India (online edition)