Strict Safety Measures Implemented Across All Zones

In the wake of a recent safety scare involving a malfunctioning portable electronic charger, the Railway Board has issued a stern directive instructing all railway zones to strictly enforce the shutdown of mobile charging points on trains between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM daily.

The latest order comes in direct response to an incident on the South Eastern Railway network, where a passenger's power bank abruptly overheated and exploded inside a Mumbai local train coach while plugged in. The resulting thick smoke and panic prompted an immediate re-evaluation of onboard electrical safety protocols.

In an official communication dated October 26, the Railway Board underscored that zero exceptions will be tolerated. Internal reviews revealed that onboard railway staff had frequently neglected to switch off the designated charging sockets during the mandatory overnight shutdown window, leading to heightened vulnerability against electrical hazards.

Surprise Inspections and Staff Accountability

To ensure rigorous compliance, the board has mandated that zonal authorities intensively counsel, train, and supervise train-attending staff. Supervisors have been explicitly directed to conduct unannounced surprise inspections aboard running trains to verify whether charging stations are successfully disabled during the designated six-hour restriction window.

"The board has taken a zero-tolerance stance against negligence in implementing these critical safety measures," noted senior officials familiar with the directive.

A Decade-Old Safety Protocol Reintroduced

The restriction on overnight charging is not entirely new; the policy stems from a foundational directive introduced on June 19, 2014. That initial safety protocol was enacted upon the specific recommendation of the Commissioner of Railway Safety following a major fire outbreak aboard the Bengaluru-Hazur Sahib Nanded Express.

Railway authorities subsequently revitalized enforcement in March 2021, when divisions such as Western Railway systematically began cutting off power to passenger coach charging points during the late-night hours.

With the recent resurgence of incidents involving unregulated lithium-ion batteries and high-capacity power banks, Daily News 365 reminds passengers traveling on overnight routes to ensure their mobile phones and essential electronic devices are fully charged prior to boarding, as onboard power sockets will remain completely disabled between 11 PM and 5 AM.