Railways may fine you Rs 1,000 or imprison you for up to six months for playing loud music or videos on trains; awareness drive planned

Railway zones will spread awareness to caution passengers that playing loud music or videos on mobile phones on trains and railway premises can constitute a violation and attract fines or even imprisonment, reported news agency PTI.

Read more: Indian Railways offers 25% discount on round-trip parcel bookings to boost festive cargo traffic

What is the penalty for playing videos on speaker mode?

According to a circular, Southern Railway has directed its divisions to educate passengers that playing audio or videos on speaker mode and engaging in loud conversations could attract a fine of up to Rs 1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to six months.


The Northern and Western Railway zones have also decided to take action to curb the misuse of mobile phones on trains, reported PTI.

Why did Railways take this step?

Officials said several passengers had lodged complaints through Rail Madad, the railways’ grievance redressal and assistance system, about fellow travellers playing loud music through speakers in air-conditioned coaches, causing inconvenience and disturbing others.

The Southern Railway circular noted that the widespread availability of mobile internet had made playing videos and other content on speaker mode increasingly common in public spaces. It stressed the need for measures to ensure passengers are not inconvenienced during their journeys.

A senior Western Railway official said recent amendments to railway laws would allow authorities to deal firmly with mobile phone-related nuisance.

Indian Railways steps up action against unauthorised drone use

Indian Railways has also intensified its crackdown on unauthorised drone operations over railway tracks, stations and other facilities, warning that such activities could threaten infrastructure and public safety.

The action follows a court ruling in Kollam, Kerala, where a man was fined and sentenced to one day of community service for illegally flying a drone over the Kappil-Edava railway line.

The development could have implications for vloggers and rail enthusiasts who use drones to film trains, bridges, tunnels and scenic railway routes for social media. The railway court highlighted the potential risks unauthorised drone operations pose to railway infrastructure, electrical installations and public safety, bringing renewed attention to the rules governing drone use over railway property.