Chennai: Southern Railway has directed its divisions to educate passengers about the inconvenience caused by loud mobile phone conversations and playing music or videos on speaker mode inside trains and railway premises. The railway zone has warned that such behaviour may attract a fine of up to Rs 1,000 and imprisonment of up to six months under the relevant provisions of the Railways Act.

The instructions aim to improve the travel experience for passengers, particularly those on long-distance journeys who may be disturbed by loud conversations, intrusive ringtones or audio played through mobile phone speakers.

In a communication dated October 6, 2026, Southern Railway’s Headquarters Office in Chennai asked its divisions to spread awareness about the issue through announcements and notices. The zone has also called for public messages in regional languages, Hindi and English to ensure that passengers understand the rules and their responsibility towards fellow travellers.

Southern Railway issues advisory to passengers

The railway zone has asked its divisions to sensitise passengers against using mobile phones in ways that disturb others. The advisory specifically addresses loud conversations and playing music or videos through phone speakers while travelling or within railway premises.

The suggested public announcement asks passengers to avoid playing music and videos on speaker mode and to refrain from loud conversations. It also advises them to use earphones while listening to audio or watching videos.

The communication warns that such conduct may invite action under Section 145 of the Railways Act, including a penalty of up to Rs 1,000 and imprisonment of up to six months, as stated in the proposed announcement.

Southern Railway has instructed officials to communicate the message through railway public address systems and display notices at appropriate locations. The objective is to make passengers aware that behaviour they consider routine, such as watching videos without headphones or conducting lengthy calls at high volume, can affect the comfort of others sharing the same coach or public space.

The instructions have been issued to the Senior Divisional Commercial Managers of the Chennai, Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchchirappalli, Madurai and Salem divisions.

Railway Board had addressed phone-related complaints earlier

The latest communication refers to a Railway Board letter dated July 23, 2012, which dealt with complaints about the use of mobile phones inside railway coaches.

Those complaints included passengers speaking loudly on their phones, engaging in lengthy conversations and using objectionable ringtones. The issue was particularly relevant in air-conditioned compartments, where noise from one passenger can disturb others who are resting, reading or trying to work.

The Railway Board had asked railway authorities to educate passengers about the impact of such conduct on fellow travellers. Its recommendations included keeping mobile phones on silent or vibration mode, using low-volume ringtones and avoiding loud conversations.

Southern Railway’s latest advisory builds on that approach while addressing the increased use of mobile internet and video streaming on smartphones.

With passengers now able to access films, social media clips, music and other online content throughout a journey, playing audio through phone speakers can create an additional source of noise in crowded coaches. The railway zone has said this growing practice makes further awareness measures necessary.

What does Section 145 of the Railways Act say?

Section 145 of the Railways Act deals with drunkenness or nuisance. It covers specified forms of disruptive conduct on railway premises, including nuisance, indecent acts and abusive or obscene language, as well as wilful interference with railway amenities in ways that affect passengers’ comfortable travel.

The communication cites Section 145(2)(a), as amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026. It refers to the applicable penalty provisions and states that competent commercial staff, not below the rank of Ticket Examiner, may impose a penalty of Rs 1,000 for such nuisance.

The communication also refers to removal from railway premises in applicable cases and further consequences when a person continues the nuisance despite being lawfully directed to stop.

The advisory’s reference to the law means passengers should not assume that playing audio loudly or disturbing others is acceptable simply because it takes place in a public setting. However, the precise legal provision and penalty applicable to a particular incident will depend on the conduct involved and the relevant statutory requirements.

The stated maximum punishment of six months’ imprisonment should therefore be understood in the context of the applicable legal provision, rather than as an automatic sentence for every loud phone conversation or instance of speaker use.

Divisions asked to submit implementation reports

Southern Railway has asked the concerned divisions to take the necessary steps to implement the instructions and submit a report to its headquarters by October 20, 2026.

The measures are intended to ensure that passengers receive the advisory through multiple channels rather than relying solely on written notices. Announcements in regional languages, Hindi and English are expected to help communicate the message to a wider range of travellers.

Railway staff will also have a role in bringing the instructions to passengers’ attention and taking action where conduct meets the requirements for enforcement under the law.

The initiative focuses on reducing avoidable disturbances during train journeys. Loud calls can interrupt sleep and conversations, while videos and music played without earphones may affect several passengers at once, especially in enclosed compartments.

Passengers advised to use earphones and keep calls quiet

Passengers can help maintain a comfortable environment by keeping their phones on silent or vibration mode, speaking at a reasonable volume and avoiding lengthy calls in shared spaces where possible. Earphones should be used when listening to music, watching videos or consuming other audio content.

Travellers should also be mindful of the time and setting. Passengers resting during overnight journeys or sharing air-conditioned coaches may be particularly affected by unnecessary noise.

Southern Railway’s advisory reinforces a basic principle of public travel: the use of personal devices should not come at the expense of other passengers’ comfort. By following the instructions, travellers can help make railway journeys quieter and more pleasant while avoiding conduct that may lead to action under the Railways Act.