Mumbai, June 24 -- Trains that ply on the suburban network in Mumbai are being fitted with a crew voice and video recording system (CVVRS) that will capture live visuals and audio of tracks and crew members during journeys. The Central Railways (CR) and Western Railways (WR) have installed the system on 25 and 26 local train rakes, respectively, and further procurement is underway, said officials. "The primary goal behind installing the CVVRS is to improve operational safety and efficiency by monitoring the track conditions in front of and around the train," a senior railway official told Hindustan Times, requesting anonymity. Videos and recordings of conversations among crew members could provide valuable clues to investigators in case of mishaps such as the one in Mumbra on June 9 wherein five commuters died after falling off a local train, he said. "The accident occurred when a long distance train headed in the opposite direction passed by the local train. But neither train had CCTV cameras which could show what went wrong and how such tragedies could be averted," the official said. The move to install CVVRS on local train rakes has been expedited following the Mumbra accident, said sources. The CVVRS kit for each motorcab comprises six CCTV cameras and audio recording equipment. Two CCTV cameras capture the track ahead, while two cameras capture the motorman/ train manager while two other cameras capture visuals on either side. "The cameras inside showing the motorman and the train manager will help ascertain if protocols were followed in case of any untoward incident. Voice recordings of crew will also show if circumspect situations were called out as per the safety colour-code," an official said. Another official said the CVVRS has AI-powered features that will enable officials to remotely monitor services and avert accidents. The cost of fitting the CVVRS in each motorcab is around Rs.1-1.25 lakh, said officials. Last month, railway unions protested against the move to install the CVVRS on local trains in Mumbai, saying it could distract motormen, breach their privacy and be misused for taking administrative action against them for the smallest of reasons. The railway administration has assured that the system will be used solely for constructive feedback and counselling, not for punitive purposes....