Chennai: Southern Railway has banned listening to audio at high volume on mobile phone speakers and watching videos during train journeys, and has warned that violators will be punished with a fine of Rs. 5,000 and six months' imprisonment.
During train journeys and while at railway stations, speaking loudly on mobile phones, listening to music and conversations at high volume, and watching videos have been increasing. Since this causes inconvenience to nearby passengers and disrupts the journey, Southern Railway has announced that such acts will be punishable with a fine in accordance with the Railway Amendment Act.
In this regard, Southern Railway sent an advisory letter to all zones on the 16th of last month. In it, it has urged that passengers be made aware not to watch audio and video on mobile phones at high volume on trains or at railway stations, and has warned that those who violate the rules may be fined up to Rs. 5,000 and sentenced to imprisonment for up to six months under Section 145 of the Railway Act.
Announcements regarding this will be made at railway stations and on trains. This awareness message will be in Hindi, English, and local languages. Passengers will be requested to use headphones and avoid making phone calls in a loud voice.
In addition, to avoid disturbing fellow passengers, they are advised to keep phone conversations at a moderate volume and to use earphones while listening to audio or watching videos.
Southern Railway has warned that those who cause inconvenience to fellow passengers during train travel will be fined Rs. 5,000 and may be removed from the train or the railway station. It has also stated that those who repeatedly engage in such acts may face a fine of up to Rs. 5,000 and imprisonment of up to six months.
In addition, the authority to impose fines has been given to ticket examiners on duty on the train and senior officials of the commercial department.
It is noteworthy that a general rule is already in place to fine those who disturb fellow passengers and to remove them from the train coach.
Southern Railway has said that speaking loudly on mobile phones in public places, listening to music, conversations, or watching and sharing videos at high volume is on the rise, and that this has made it necessary to take measures to prevent the inconvenience caused to passengers.
