Watching reels on trains without earphones? Railways warn of ₹1,000 fine, even jail

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Sleepless journeys

Imagine paying for an AC train ticket, hoping for a peaceful night's sleep, only to have someone's phone blaring videos beside you. Railway officials say passengers have been flooding the Rail Madad grievance system with complaints about loud music and speakerphone use. The growing irritation has prompted Southern, Northern and Western Railway zones to take steps against disruptive mobile phone habits. (Representative pic)

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Speaker crackdown

Watching reels or blasting music on your phone during a train journey? That everyday habit could now land you in serious trouble. Southern Railway has warned that playing loud videos, music or having disruptive conversations on trains and railway premises may attract a fine of up to ₹1,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both. The message is clear: your entertainment shouldn't become another passenger's nightmare. (Representative pic)

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Forgotten warning

The Railways tried to tackle this problem more than a decade ago. In 2012, the Railway Board directed zones to discourage disruptive mobile phone use through announcements and stickers inside coaches. But officials say the lack of specific legal provisions made enforcement difficult. Now, railway authorities claim recent legal amendments have given them stronger powers to act against passengers who disturb others. (Representative pic)

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Enforcement dilemma

A ₹1,000 fine and possible jail term sound like serious warnings, but will anyone actually enforce them? Passenger associations have raised an uncomfortable question about staff shortages. Nagpur-based railway passenger representative Basant Kumar Shukla says shortages of RPF personnel and ticket examiners already leave complaints about unauthorised passengers, occupied berths and cleanliness unresolved. The new crackdown could face the same challenge. (Representative pic)