Southern Railway directs divisions to warn passengers under the amended Railways Act, citing growing nuisance from phone speakers
Chennai, October 19: Passengers who play music or videos on speaker or talk loudly on their phones at stations and inside trains could soon face penalties, according to a Southern Railway directive.
In a letter dated October 16, the zone’s headquarters commercial branch told its divisions to make public address announcements in regional languages, Hindi and English, and to put up notices urging passengers to use earphones. The divisions must submit implementation reports by Tuesday, October 20.
The directive relies on Section 145 of the Railways Act, as amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026. Under this provision, passengers who cause a nuisance can be removed from the railway, fined ₹1,000 and made to give up their ticket or pass. Staff not below the rank of ticket examiner can impose the fine on the spot. Passengers who continue after being told to stop can face up to six months’ simple imprisonment, a fine of up to ₹5,000, or both.
Southern Railway said cheap mobile internet had made playing content through phone speakers common in public spaces, disturbing other passengers and creating an urgent need to act.
The letter also recalled a 2012 Railway Board advisory that had flagged complaints about loud calls, long conversations and objectionable ringtones, especially in AC coaches. That advisory had asked passengers to keep phones on silent and keep conversations short
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