State to Install 6,000 AI-Based CCTV Cameras at 631 ST Bus Stations Across Maharashtra; Project Aims to Enhance Passenger Safety
Mumbai/Pune, 7th August 2025: In a major step toward enhancing commuter safety, especially for women, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will install 6,000 AI-powered CCTV cameras across 631 ST bus stations in the state. The initiative, with an estimated budget of Rs 112 crore, will be centrally monitored from a newly planned command and control center at the MSRTC headquarters in Mumbai.
The project has been awarded to Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd (TCIL), a government enterprise. The objective is to complete the installation and commission the centralized monitoring unit by March 2026.
This move comes in the wake of several safety concerns raised after a sexual assault incident at the Swargate bus terminal. While CCTV systems had been previously installed in 2016, their five-year lifespan ended in 2021. A temporary extension was granted till 2023, but the outdated systems have since suffered from poor image quality, frequent technical issues, and inadequate maintenance.
Reports indicate that many of the existing cameras either failed to store footage or captured unusable visuals, making investigation and verification processes extremely difficult. Maintenance staff and technicians from private contractors had also expressed reluctance to service the outdated system due to these limitations.
Currently, around 500 bus stations in the state have individual CCTV systems, but no centralized monitoring unit exists. As a result, surveillance footage was stored locally at each station and was often ignored or poorly managed. The new AI-based system will allow real-time monitoring from one unified center, improving incident response times and reducing human resource requirements at each station.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik stated that the decision to integrate Artificial Intelligence in surveillance will not only strengthen safety measures across ST bus stations but will also serve as a strong deterrent against unlawful activities. “This advanced system will store all video data securely and allow for timely review and intervention when needed,” Sarnaik added.
Key Details of the Project:
Total Bus Stations Covered: 631
Number of CCTV Cameras: Approx. 6,000
Estimated Project Cost: ₹112 Crore
Completion Deadline: March 2026
Implementing Agency: Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd (TCIL)
According to MSRTC, each station has been surveyed, and specific camera placement and numbers have been finalized. Notices have been sent to all regional security and vigilance committees to expedite the process of camera deployment and related civil works.
