Patna : The Railway Board has directed all zonal railways to strictly enforce the shutdown of mobile charging points in train coaches between 11 pm and 5 am, following a reported incident in which a passenger’s power bank exploded while charging on a train.
In a communication dated October 26, 2026, the Board instructed railway authorities to ensure that charging points remain switched off throughout the six-hour period, with no exceptions. The directive also calls for surprise inspections and staff training to ensure compliance with the safety requirements.
The latest instructions follow concerns that onboard staff on the South Eastern Railway had failed to switch off charging points during the restricted hours. The passenger’s power bank reportedly exploded while connected to a charging point, producing smoke inside the train.
Railway Board Orders Surprise Inspections
The Railway Board has asked all zonal railway administrations to issue clear instructions to the employees responsible for switching off charging points in passenger coaches.
Staff must be counselled and trained to ensure that the shutdown takes place at the prescribed time. Officers and supervisors have also been directed to conduct surprise inspections to check whether the instructions are being followed.
The Board has stressed that railway authorities must ensure strict compliance and that no relaxation should be allowed during the restricted hours. The instructions place responsibility on railway personnel to ensure that charging points are switched off as required.
Overnight Charging Restriction Is Not New
The restriction is not a newly introduced ban. The Railway Board first issued instructions to switch off charging points between 11 pm and 5 am on June 19, 2014, following a fire incident aboard the Bengaluru–Hazur Sahib Nanded Express and safety recommendations from the railway authorities.
The Railways reiterated the requirement in subsequent years, including in 2021. The latest directive renews the emphasis on enforcing the existing rule after the reported power bank incident.
What Passengers Should Know
Passengers travelling overnight should plan to charge their mobile phones and other essential electronic devices before the restricted period begins. Charging points in train coaches may not be available between 11 pm and 5 am.
The restriction is intended to reduce potential fire risks associated with charging electronic devices while passengers are asleep. Passengers should inform onboard railway staff if they notice smoke, unusual heat or another electrical safety concern.
The Railway Board’s latest directive focuses on ensuring that the existing safety instructions are followed consistently across all zonal railways.
