Kollam: Misleading videos, fake news, short reels… Southern Railway is increasingly frustrated with vloggers who spread misinformation about railway operations while presenting themselves as official or authoritative sources. According to the Railways, such social media propaganda is encouraging passengers to violate rules. As the situation worsens, the Chennai Division is moving towards legal action.

Videos are circulating claiming that one can enter the AC compartment with an ordinary (non-reserved) ticket, that the rules allow only a ₹250 fine in addition to the fare for travelling without a reservation, and that a platform ticket is not mandatory. Seeing these claims, passengers frequently argue with officials, prompting the Railways to begin legal measures and awareness campaigns. Some of those producing and circulating false content about the Railways are vloggers with lakhs of followers. A list of such individuals is being prepared, and legal proceedings are expected.

According to railway rules, filming vlogs, recording videos or taking photographs within railway premises without permission is a punishable offence. The Railways believes that enforcing this rule will also help reduce trespassing on tracks by people making reels. Regulations requiring permission for videography and photography inside stations, yards, depots and shops will be tightened.

To curb misinformation, the Railways has also launched a fact-check handle on the X platform. Any misleading information about the Railways can now be tagged to this handle.