Indian Railway: Important news for train passengers. The Railway Board has issued instructions to strictly enforce the rule of keeping mobile charging points in train coaches switched off between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM. In an order issued on October 26, all Zonal Railways have been directed to mandatorily implement this measure. During these hours, passengers will not have access to charging points for their mobile phones or other electronic devices.
Stricter measures following a power bank explosion
This directive from the Railway Board comes after an incident on a South Eastern Railway (SER) train, where a passenger’s power bank exploded and began emitting smoke while being charged. It was noted that the charging points on that train had not been switched off during the designated hours. Following this incident, the Railways has emphasized the strict adherence to safety protocols to mitigate the risk of fires and electrical accidents.
Reiteration of a 2014 directive
In its latest communication, the Railway Board has also referenced an earlier order issued on June 19, 2014, which mandated that mobile charging points in train coaches be kept switched off between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM. The Railway Board has now instructed all Zonal Railways to ensure strict compliance with this rule to prevent any negligence.
Surprise inspections to curb rule violations
The Railway Board has also emphasized the need to provide necessary instructions, training, and guidance to relevant staff regarding these rules. Furthermore, officials and supervisors have been directed to conduct surprise inspections to ensure that charging points are indeed being switched off during the specified hours.
A step taken for passenger safety
The objective of the Railways is to minimize the risk of fires and electrical-related accidents on board trains. Given that passengers will be unable to use the charging points provided in the coaches between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM, they should plan accordingly and manage their mobile phone battery levels.
Important note for passengers: Ensure your mobile phone is sufficiently charged before starting your journey. For safety reasons, please follow the railway’s guidelines; if you notice any unusual heat, smoke, or other irregularities with a device while it is charging, inform the train staff immediately.
