The Railway Board has directed all zonal railways to strictly enforce the existing rule requiring mobile phone and laptop charging points in train coaches to remain switched off between 11 pm and 5 am, citing fire safety concerns following a recent incident in which a passenger’s power bank reportedly exploded while charging.
In a letter dated October 26, 2026, the board instructed railway officials to ensure that the restriction is followed without exception, train the staff responsible for implementing it, and conduct surprise inspections to check compliance.
The directive follows an incident aboard the Mumbai–Howrah Mail in Odisha on October 24, when a power bank exploded and produced smoke after onboard staff reportedly failed to switch off the charging points during the restricted hours. Although the restriction was introduced in 2014, the latest communication reiterates the need for stricter enforcement. The measure aims to reduce the risks associated with unattended electronic devices, while also requiring passengers to plan their charging needs around the overnight restriction.
Safety Measures Reinforced
According to reports, the incident occurred at approximately 3.38 am on October 24 in an air-conditioned coach of the 12809 Mumbai–Howrah Mail, operated by South Eastern Railway. A passenger’s power bank reportedly exploded while connected to a charging point, producing smoke inside the coach.
The train was halted near Bandamunda station for approximately 15 minutes before resuming its journey at 3.53 am. The incident brought renewed attention to the importance of enforcing existing fire-safety instructions on trains, particularly during night-time hours when passengers may be asleep and charging devices could remain unattended. In its October 26 communication, the Railway Board referred to the failure of onboard staff to switch off the charging points during the prescribed period.
The board subsequently directed all zonal railways to issue instructions to the employees concerned and ensure that mobile charging points remain switched off between 11 pm and 5 am. The letter stated, “In view of the above, all Zonal Railways are advised to issue necessary Instructions to all concerned staff to ensure strict compliance for mobile charging points to invariably remain switched off from 11.00 PM to 05.00 AM. No exception should be permitted on this account.”
Railway authorities have also been instructed to train staff and conduct surprise inspections at the officers’ and supervisors’ levels. The objective is to improve compliance with the existing safety requirements rather than introduce an entirely new restriction.
Background Of Restrictions
The night-time charging restriction dates back to June 2014, when the Railway Board instructed railway authorities to switch off mobile phone and laptop charging points in air-conditioned coaches between 11 pm and 5 am. The decision followed a recommendation by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Southern Circle, after a fire broke out in an air-conditioned three-tier coach of the Hazur Sahib Nanded–KSR Bengaluru Express in 2013. The safety authority had recommended that charging points in air-conditioned coaches be disconnected between 10 pm and 6 am.
The Railway Board subsequently prescribed the 11 pm to 5 am window, citing passenger convenience and safety, and directed railway authorities to display notices informing passengers about the restriction. Concerns over the implementation of these instructions resurfaced following a fire in a sleeper-class coach of the New Delhi–Darbhanga Humsafar Clone Special in November 2023. The fire spread to adjoining coaches, prompting the Commissioner of Railway Safety to recommend extending the night-time charging restriction to sleeper-class coaches as well.
However, the Railway Board subsequently noted that deploying staff to enforce the arrangement in non-air-conditioned coaches was not feasible because of the costs involved. In March 2026, South East Central Railway also raised concerns about charging points in air-conditioned coaches of trains passing through its Nagpur division remaining powered throughout the night.
The zone warned that unattended charging devices could pose fire hazards and that leaving mobile phones connected overnight could increase the risk of theft. The latest directive therefore highlights a continuing challenge: ensuring that established safety rules are consistently implemented across the railway network. For passengers, the restriction means that charging devices must be planned around the six-hour shutdown, particularly on overnight journeys.
Passengers should also avoid leaving electronic devices charging unattended and report any unusual heat, smoke or burning smells to railway staff immediately.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Passenger safety requires consistent enforcement of existing rules and clear communication with travellers. While switching off charging points at night may cause some inconvenience, it is important to minimise potential fire hazards. Railway authorities must ensure compliance through regular inspections and inform passengers about the restrictions in advance. What additional steps can Indian Railways take to improve passenger safety without causing unnecessary inconvenience?
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