Watching videos on speaker mode in trains? You could face a fine and imprisonment

Playing music or videos loudly on a mobile phone during a train journey could lead to a fine of Rs 1,000, while repeated violations may attract a jail term under the provisions cited in a new railway advisory.

Indian Railways has renewed its warning against passengers playing music, watching videos or using mobile phones on speaker mode in a way that disturbs others. Southern Railway has directed its divisions to raise awareness through public announcements and notices at stations.

Railway officials have also been authorised to take action against passengers who cause a nuisance. The advisory asks travellers to use earphones, keep phone calls brief and speak at a moderate volume.

According to the report, officials have invoked Section 145(2)(a) of the Railways Act, as amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act. Passengers found causing a nuisance could be removed from railway premises and fined Rs 1,000.

The report further states that continued violations after a warning from a competent railway official may attract simple imprisonment for up to six months and/or a fine of Rs 5,000.

What behaviour can lead to action?

The advisory addresses several common sources of disturbance during train journeys, including:

• Playing music, films, television programmes or social media videos through a phone’s loudspeaker.
• Making prolonged or excessively loud phone calls.
• Allowing disturbing ringtones to ring repeatedly.
• Playing audio without headphones, particularly in air-conditioned coaches where passengers may expect a quieter environment.

Railway officials have urged passengers to respect others’ comfort and follow basic public etiquette.

How can passengers report disturbances?

Passengers experiencing persistent noise or other disturbances can alert railway staff or register complaints through the RailMadad portal. Officials have encouraged travellers to cooperate with railway personnel and use earphones when listening to audio.

Why has the advisory returned to focus?

The Railway Board had directed railway zones to address loud phone use as early as 2012, but the practice has continued in many areas. The issue has drawn renewed attention following amendments under the Jan Vishwas Act.

The advisory seeks to address complaints from passengers who say that videos, music and children’s cartoons played aloud can disturb entire coaches, particularly during long journeys.

The advisory highlights the distinction between ordinary phone use and behaviour that causes a nuisance to other passengers. It does not mean that every phone call or instance of using a mobile phone automatically attracts a fine. The reported provisions concern conduct that amounts to a nuisance and the consequences of continued violations after a warning.

Passengers should also distinguish between the penalties described in the report: a Rs 1,000 fine for the specified nuisance, and the possibility of up to six months’ simple imprisonment and/or a Rs 5,000 fine for continued violation after a warning.

Before publication, the precise statutory wording, the applicability of the amended provision and the circumstances in which each penalty may be imposed should be checked against the official notification and the current text of the Railways Act.