- Charging points off 11 PM-5 AM on trains.
- Directive reissued after power bank explosion incident.
- Passengers advised to charge devices before journey.
Planning an overnight train journey during the festive rush? Make sure your phone is charged before boarding, as Indian Railways has directed all zones to strictly enforce the shutdown of mobile phone and laptop charging points between 11 PM and 5 AM.
The Railway Board reiterated the existing restriction in a letter dated October 26 after a passenger’s power bank reportedly exploded while charging onboard a train, producing smoke inside the coach. The directive calls for strict compliance, staff training and surprise inspections to prevent fire hazards during overnight journeys.
Festive Rush Alert: Charge Your Phone Before Boarding
Since passengers would have to use their mobiles to access digital tickets, updates on journeys and contact during the busy festive period, the six-hour outage could mean some forward planning.
Travellers taking overnight trains should charge their phones, laptops and power banks before leaving home. Charging points will remain unavailable during the specified hours, so passengers should not depend on onboard sockets to top up their devices overnight.
Power Bank Explosion Triggers Fresh Railway Board Directive
The latest instructions follow an incident on the Mumbai-Howrah Mail in Odisha, where a passenger’s power bank reportedly exploded while connected to a charging point in the B-3 coach. The incident produced smoke and prompted renewed attention to the overnight shutdown rule.
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According to the Railway Board, onboard staff had failed to switch off charging points during the prescribed period. The Board has directed all zonal railways to ensure that the rule is followed without exceptions.
Railway Staff Face Surprise Inspections Over Charging Rule
The Railway Board has instructed zonal authorities to brief and train the employees responsible for switching off charging points. Officers and supervisors must also conduct surprise inspections to check compliance.
The restriction dates back to June 2014, when the Board directed that charging points in air-conditioned coaches be switched off between 11 PM and 5 AM following a recommendation by the Commissioner of Railway Safety after a train fire in 2013.
What Should Passengers Do During Overnight Train Journeys?
Passengers can take a few precautions to avoid battery problems during the restricted hours:
- Charge essential devices before starting the journey.
- Save tickets and important travel details for offline access.
- Avoid damaged charging cables, adapters and power banks.
- Do not leave devices charging unattended.
- Alert railway staff immediately if a device becomes unusually hot or emits smoke.