Loud phone music on trains and at stations can now mean fine, removal or jail, Railways warns

Listening to songs or watching videos with the mobile phone speaker on, in a train or at a station, has become a habit for many people. Noting how much this troubles fellow passengers, the Indian Railways administration has now taken a firm stand. Passengers who play their phones on loudspeaker, or talk loudly, on railway premises or in a moving train will face legal action.

Mobile internet use has grown sharply in recent times, and many people are seen playing videos and songs on speaker in public places or on trains. This was affecting the comfort and journey of other passengers. An effective measure was felt to be needed urgently so that passengers are not inconvenienced.

Against this background, the headquarters of Southern Railway recently issued a circular to all departments. It says that passengers at stations or on trains are listening to audio or music on their phones with the speaker on, and that this is making the journey uncomfortable for other passengers.

The Railways has begun enforcing the new rules on the basis of Section 145(2)(a) of the Railways Act, 1989, as amended under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act. Under the rule, a person who plays a phone on loudspeaker or speaks loudly in a public place or on a train, and so disturbs fellow passengers or creates a nuisance, can be removed straight from railway premises. A fine of up to Rs 1,000 can also be imposed.

Further, if the person continues to cause disturbance even after a warning from an authorised railway official, the punishment can be simple imprisonment of up to six months, or a fine of up to Rs 5,000, or both, the Railways has clarified.

Railway headquarters has directed all departments to make public announcements regularly to spread awareness of the rule among passengers. Ticket examiners (TTE) and commercial staff of higher rank have been given powers to take punitive action.

The issue had come up for discussion again last month, when Shivasri Skandaprasad, wife of MP Tejasvi Surya and a well-known Carnatic singer, shared a bad travel experience on social media. In a 56-berth AC two-tier coach, a group of about 40 passengers was talking very loudly, which caused her considerable distress. She asked the TTE for another berth, but none could be given.

Meanwhile, another group of eight people had begun playing Uno, but stopped when the TTE asked them to. After the incident, Skandaprasad wrote with regret, "As a country, when will we improve our public behaviour?" It is against this background that the Railways has now begun this strict enforcement, citing passenger discipline and safety.