Railway Board Enforces Overnight Mobile Charging Ban in Trains

In a significant policy shift, the Railway Board has mandated that all mobile charging points in trains be switched off between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. This directive aims to enhance passenger safety and has been communicated to all zonal railways, which are now required to conduct surprise inspections to ensure compliance during overnight journeys.

The enforcement of this rule comes after years of inconsistent application. Although a circular regarding the shutdown of mobile charging circuits was issued over a decade ago, it was not uniformly enforced across all trains. Senior railway officials have emphasized the importance of adhering to this directive, which is now being strictly monitored by both officers and supervisory staff.

The renewed focus on this policy was prompted by a recent incident in the South Eastern Railway zone, where a power bank explosion occurred due to a failure to turn off charging points during the designated hours. Although no serious injuries were reported, the incident caused significant alarm among passengers, highlighting the potential risks associated with overnight charging.

While the Railway Board's directive is clear, some officials have suggested that the emphasis should be on preventing the charging of power banks rather than mobile phones. They argue that indiscriminate increases in the number of charging points could pose additional safety risks, and a more targeted approach may be necessary.

In related news, train services on the South Central Railway route to Visakhapatnam, including the Godavari and Visakha Express, resumed operations after being disrupted by Cyclone Arnab. Although services have been restored, at least 11 pairs of connecting express trains remain canceled, with normal operations expected to resume shortly. Several trains have also been rescheduled significantly, reflecting the ongoing adjustments to service following the cyclone.