No Charging at Night? Experts Slam Indian Railways' Ban
Indian Railways enforces an overnight charging ban to prevent fires, but experts call the move outdated and suggest better electrical safety upgrades.
The Indian Railways has reinforced a strict directive requiring all mobile and laptop charging points in train coaches to be switched off between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM. This measure is designed to mitigate fire risks during overnight travel, but it has sparked significant debate among technical experts.
The mandate, which was recently reiterated by the Railway Board on October 26, 2026, requires zonal railways to ensure total compliance. This will be monitored through surprise inspections and direct intervention by onboard staff to ensure no devices are being charged during the restricted hours.
The Incident That Triggered the Crackdown
The push for strict enforcement follows a recent incident within the South Eastern Railway (SER) zone, where a passenger's power bank exploded. According to a letter from Soumit Gupta, Special Officer (Electrical Engineering) at the Railway Board, the explosion led to smoke filling the coach because the onboard staff had failed to deactivate the charging points during the mandated curfew.
While this policy was originally established in June 2014 and was further emphasized in March 2021 following recommendations from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), the recent power bank mishap has made the enforcement of the 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM window a top priority for the board.
Experts Call the Ban an Outdated Approach
Despite the safety concerns, the decision has faced criticism from seasoned professionals. Retired railway officials, including former Railway Board (Engineering) member Subodh Jain, have described the blanket ban as an outdated method of managing fire safety.
Experts argue that fire risks in train coaches typically stem from faulty sockets, aging wiring, or malfunctioning electrical circuits rather than the electronic devices themselves.
Instead of a complete power cutoff for all passengers, technical experts are urging the Railway Ministry to invest in modern electrical safety infrastructure. They suggest that the following upgrades would be more effective:
- Installation of advanced fuses to manage current spikes.
- Implementation of circuit breakers capable of automatically cutting power in the event of an electrical fault.
- Upgrading the internal wiring to prevent overheating.
Strict Compliance for Zonal Railways
The Railway Board has issued clear instructions to various zonal railways, including East Central, South East Central, and North Central, to ensure that staff strictly adhere to the overnight curfew. To ensure the rules are followed, zonal authorities are expected to conduct regular checks.
Passengers are being advised to plan their trips accordingly and ensure all mobile phones, laptops, and other electronic devices are fully charged before embarking on overnight journeys to avoid any inconvenience during the mandatory power-off period.