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Train passengers will not be able to use onboard mobile charging points between 11 pm and 5 am, as the Railway Board steps up enforcement of the long-standing safety restriction. The move follows a recent power bank explosion on a train under South Eastern Railway, prompting authorities to direct all railway zones to ensure the rule is followed without exception.<\/p>\n
In a letter dated October 26, the board highlighted lapses by onboard railway<\/a> staff in implementing the restriction. According to the communication, charging points had not been switched off during the prescribed hours when a passenger\u2019s power bank reportedly exploded while charging, generating smoke inside the coach.<\/p>\n The board has instructed all zonal railways<\/a> to educate and train the staff responsible for ensuring that charging points remain switched off during the six-hour window. Officials and supervisors have also been directed to conduct surprise inspections to check compliance and prevent negligence.<\/p>\n The restriction dates back to June 19, 2014, when the Railways issued instructions to switch off charging points overnight<\/a> following a fire aboard the Bengaluru-Hazur Sahib Nanded Express, based on a recommendation by the Commissioner of Railway Safety.<\/p>\n The rule was reiterated in March 2021, when Western Railway began cutting power to charging points during the restricted hours from March 16.<\/p>\n