North East Express: Chain pulling at Karhiya Halt causes passenger panic and traffic jam
The Kamakhya-Anand Vihar North East Express was stopped on Saturday morning due to unauthorized chain pulling. The incident happened near Karhiya Halt station at the 84-C railway crossing in Bihar. This sudden stop created confusion among passengers and led to a heavy traffic jam on both sides of the crossing.
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What happened at Karhiya Halt railway crossing
Miscreants pulled the alarm chain, which forced the North East Express to stop abruptly. Because the train stopped right at the 84-C railway crossing, the gates remained closed, causing vehicles to pile up on both sides. Passengers inside the train experienced panic due to the unexpected halt.
Railway rules and penalties for chain pulling
Indian Railways is strictly monitoring the misuse of the Alarm Chain Pulling (ACP) system through Operation Samay Palan. Pulling the chain without a valid emergency is a punishable offense under Section 141 of the Railways Act. The penalties for this action are as follows:
| Penalty Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Fine | Up to ₹1,000 |
| Imprisonment | Up to one year |
| Both | Fine and jail time depending on the case |
Recent data on ACP misuse in Indian Railways
Railway authorities have reported a high number of arrests for unauthorized chain pulling across various divisions. In the first four months of 2026, the Delhi division alone arrested 1,483 people. Similarly, the East Central Railway penalized 514 people between March 1 and 15, with the highest number of offenders coming from the Danapur division.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the penalty for pulling the alarm chain without a reason?
Under Section 141 of the Railways Act, a person can be fined up to ₹1,000, face imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
When should a passenger pull the alarm chain?
The chain should only be pulled during emergencies such as fire, medical crises, criminal incidents, or accidents during boarding and deboarding.