The Indian Railway Board has reportedly issued new instructions to railway zones aimed at enhancing passenger safety during overnight travel. According to reports, officials have been directed to ensure that power supply to charging points in train coaches is switched off between 11 pm and 5 am. This move is primarily intended to minimize the risk of fire incidents, particularly when passengers are asleep and may not notice the signs of an overheating device.
This initiative follows a recent incident aboard the Mumbai–Howrah Mail, where a passenger’s power bank reportedly exploded while the train was travelling through Odisha. The explosion resulted in smoke filling coach B-3, prompting an immediate response from railway staff who were able to bring the situation under control. While details regarding potential injuries remain unconfirmed, the event has highlighted the dangers associated with the unattended charging of electronic devices in the confined space of a train carriage.
Instructions regarding the overnight deactivation of power supplies were reportedly sent to all railway zones on October 26, 2026. The responsibility for ensuring compliance with these directives lies with the railway staff on board. Furthermore, there are indications that authorities may conduct surprise inspections to monitor whether these instructions are being followed consistently. Officials may take necessary action against those found in violation of these protocols, though further official announcements are required to clarify the implementation process and confirm whether the rules apply uniformly across all train services.
The Railway Board has previously considered similar restrictions, with reports suggesting that comparable instructions were issued on June 19, 2014. The recurring nature of these guidelines underscores the ongoing challenge of maintaining fire safety on moving trains. Beyond official directives, passengers are encouraged to adopt personal safety habits, such as ensuring devices are fully charged before beginning their journey and strictly avoiding the use of cheap or damaged chargers and frayed cables.
Safety experts and officials further advise passengers to remain vigilant regarding how they handle devices. If a power bank or phone shows signs of becoming unusually hot or if the battery appears swollen, charging should be stopped immediately. Crucially, passengers are warned never to charge devices under pillows or blankets, as these materials can trap heat and escalate the risk of fire. Any signs of smoke, flames, or a burning smell should be reported to the railway staff on board immediately.
In addition to electrical safety, the railway authorities have highlighted potential cybersecurity risks associated with using public USB charging ports. The practice of 'juice jacking,' where malicious software or data theft occurs via a compromised USB connection, remains a concern for travellers. Passengers are encouraged to use their own personal charging adapters with standard power sockets or rely on power banks. If a USB connection is necessary, experts suggest using a charge-only cable that restricts data transfer, and avoiding prompts that request permission to 'trust' a device or share data with an unknown source.
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