Southern Railway has warned passengers that playing music, watching videos or using mobile phones at high volume without headphones during train travel could lead to penal action, including imprisonment.
Jafar Ali, a member of the Southern Railway Users’ Consultative Committee, said complaints have been received from passengers about co-travellers playing songs, reels, videos or games loudly in trains and at stations, causing disturbance.
He said action will be taken under the amended provisions of the Railway Act as part of the Jan Vishwas law, which covers acts that cause public nuisance.
As per instructions issued to all divisions, those who create disturbance by using phones without headphones at high volume in stations or trains may face a ₹1,000 fine, or up to six months’ imprisonment, or both. The fine can be collected by ticket examiners or commercial department officials of higher authority.
The railway has also indicated that if a person continues to cause nuisance despite warnings, the penalty may be increased up to ₹5,000.
