Politics · India · 2 hrs ago
Southern Railway warns passengers over phone audio played on speakers
Southern Railway has warned passengers against playing phone audio on speakers in trains and at stations.
The railway says the behaviour disturbs other passengers and can be treated as a nuisance under Section 142 of the Railways Act.
Offenders may face a Rs 1,000 penalty and removal from railway premises.
People who persist could face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to Rs 5,000.
The railway has told its divisions to explain the rules and discourage speaker audio and loud conversations.
It plans to use announcements in regional languages, Hindi and English to raise awareness among passengers.
Officials say other railway zones and Metro systems may also apply relevant nuisance rules.
Southern Railway has warned passengers that playing music or videos through phone speakers could lead to a Rs 1,000 penalty and removal from railway premises.
People who persist could face up to six months in jail and a penalty of up to Rs 5,000, the report says.
The railway has invoked Section 142 of the Railways Act, as amended under the Jan Vishwas Act, to address nuisance.
It has directed divisions to educate passengers and discourage speaker use and loud conversations on trains and railway premises.
Awareness campaigns are to use public address systems in regional languages, Hindi and English.
- Who
- Southern Railway has issued the warning to passengers.
- What
- Playing audio through phone speakers could attract a Rs 1,000 penalty and removal from railway premises. Persistent offenders could face up to six months in jail and a penalty of up to Rs 5,000.
- When
- The circular was issued this month, according to the report published on October 18, 2026.
- Where
- At railway stations, on trains and elsewhere on railway premises.
- Why
- The railway says the behaviour can inconvenience other passengers and amounts to a nuisance.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Railway Board issued a communication about mobile phone use, including loud talking, lengthy conversations and objectionable ringtones in coaches.
Southern Railway issued a circular to its divisions about audio played through speakers at stations and on trains.
- Penalty
- Rs 1,000
- Maximum jail term
- Up to six months for people who persist, according to the report
- Maximum penalty for persistent offenders
- Up to Rs 5,000
- Legal provision
- Section 142 of the Railways Act, as amended under the Jan Vishwas Act
- Awareness campaign languages
- Regional languages, Hindi and English
What people are saying
In recent times, with the advent of widespread mobile internet access, the playing of videos and other content in speaker mode is highly prevalent in public spaces. ln the present scenario, there is urgent need to put in place arrangements in order to ensure that travelling passengers are not inconvenienced.