South Western Railway rolls out Indian Railways’ first Converged Communication System-OxBig News Network

A data centre in Mysuru, which a part of the cutting-edge Converged Communication System that the SWR has begun installing.
| Photo Credit: special arrangement

:

The South Western Railway (SWR) has started installing a cutting-edge Converged Communication System (CCS), marking the first such implementation on the Indian Railways network. The ₹55-crore project integrates voice, video, and data services into a single platform, aiming to revolutionise operational communication and security infrastructure, according to SWR officials.

Officials said the system will ensure seamless and secure communication across stations, trains, and operational centres. A major highlight of the CCS is the deployment of an advanced Video Surveillance System (VSS) across 228 railway stations. Of these, 14 A and B category stations are being covered under the Nirbhaya Fund, while the remaining 214 are funded through capital expenditure.

“The VSS network includes 2,784 high-definition cameras — ranging from Full HD Bullet and Dome cameras to Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) and 4K Ultra HD Bullet cameras — installed at critical locations within stations. These cameras are equipped with artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled features such as Face Recognition System (FRS), Video Analytics (VA), and a centralised Video Management System (VMS). All data from the cameras is monitored through Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCC) established at both divisional and zonal levels,” a senior SWR official said.

The official further explained that SWR is transitioning from the older Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) technology to the more robust and scalable system: “SDH has limitations in bandwidth efficiency and flexibility. On the other hand, this system allows dynamic routing and better bandwidth utilisation, making it ideal for the evolving communication needs of the Railways.”

The new AI-driven CCTV system uses machine learning algorithms to track live footage and detect specific events such as unusual motion, lighting changes, colour patterns (e.g., a person in a red shirt), and even potentially dangerous scenarios such as loitering or a person collapsing.

The Mysuru Division has already commissioned CCTV systems at 31 stations, established the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), and set up a Divisional Network Operations Centre (NOC). Additionally, a VoIP-based Train Control Communication System (TCCS) is now fully operational at 71 stations in the division, according to officials.

Security audits have been successfully completed at key stations including Mysuru, Pandavapura, and Mandya (MYA). “With full deployment achieved in Mysuru Division, South Western Railway is on track to complete the zone-wide rollout of the Converged Communication System by September 2025,” the official added.