Loud calls, videos on speaker on trains may invite Rs 1,000 fine, 6 months in jail

Southern Railway has asked its divisions to sensitise passengers against loud phone conversations and playing music or videos on speaker mode in trains. Violators may face a fine of up to Rs 1,000 and imprisonment of up to six months under Section 145 of the Railways Act.

In Short

• Divisions must broadcast passenger advisories in regional languages, Hindi and English
• Notices will explain how disruptive phone use affects fellow travellers
• The directive revives Railway Board guidance first issued in 2012

Does loud phone chatter disturb your sleep, or does someone blasting music from their device disrupt your journey on a long-distance train? Southern Railway has now asked its divisions to sensitise passengers against loud conversations and playing music or videos on speaker mode, warning that offenders could face a fine of up to Rs 1,000 and imprisonment of up to six months under Section 145 of the Railways Act.

In a move aimed at ensuring a comfortable journey for railway passengers, Southern Railway has warned against loud conversations on mobile phones and playing music or videos on speaker mode in trains and railway premises.

In a communication dated October 6, 2026, Southern Railway's Headquarters Office in Chennai instructed its divisions to educate passengers about the inconvenience caused by such behaviour and warned that offenders could face action under Section 145 of the Railways Act.

"Please avoid playing music or videos on speaker mode and refrain from loud conversations while travelling and in Railway premises, such conduct may attract action under Section 145 of the Railways Act with a penalty upto Rs.1000/- and or, imprisonment for a term upto 6 months', Please use earphones," the suggested public announcement stated.

The railway zone has asked its divisions to disseminate the message through public address systems in regional languages, Hindi and English. Notices are also to be displayed to make passengers aware of the impact of loud phone conversations and audio or video playback on fellow travellers.

The latest communication refers to a Railway Board letter dated July 23, 2012, which addressed complaints about passengers talking loudly on mobile phones, engaging in lengthy conversations and using objectionable ringtones inside railway coaches, particularly air-conditioned compartments.

The Railway Board had instructed railway authorities to educate passengers about the adverse impact of such behaviour on the comfort of fellow passengers. It had also recommended keeping mobile phones on silent or vibration mode, using low-volume ringtones and avoiding loud conversations.

Southern Railway said the widespread availability of mobile internet had made playing videos and other content through phone speakers increasingly prevalent in public spaces, necessitating measures to prevent inconvenience to passengers.

The instructions have been issued to the Senior Divisional Commercial Managers of the Chennai, Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchchirappalli, Madurai and Salem divisions.

The communication states that competent commercial staff, not below the rank of Ticket Examiner, may impose a penalty of Rs 1,000 for such nuisance, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Railways Act.

The letter cites Section 145(2)(a), as amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026. The provision addresses nuisance, indecent acts, abusive or obscene language and wilful interference with railway amenities affecting the comfortable travel of passengers.

It also provides for removal from railway premises in applicable cases and prescribes further punishment where a person continues the nuisance despite being lawfully directed to stop.

Southern Railway has asked the concerned divisions to take necessary action and submit an implementation report to its headquarters by October 20, 2026.

The railway zone's message to passengers is clear: keep phone conversations at a reasonable volume and use earphones while listening to music or watching videos to avoid disturbing fellow travellers.

- Ends