GUWAHATI: A total of fines exceeding ₹8.37 lakh has been collected by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) for misuse of alarm chains or false alarm chain pulling.
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The misuse of alarm chains in trains has emerged as a major concern for Indian Railways, leading to frequent delays and operational disruptions. Designed as a critical safety feature, alarm chains are meant for genuine emergencies such as security threats or medical crises. However, reports show a rising trend of passengers pulling the chain for non-emergency reasons, including deboarding at undesignated locations or missing their stations.
Between January and December 2024, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of N. F. Railway registered 2,105 cases of alarm chain pulling. A total of 2,112 individuals were arrested, and fines exceeding ₹8.37 lakh were collected. In just the last two months, the railway zone recorded 196 cases, resulting in 204 arrests and fines of over ₹90,000.
On February 27, 2025, an individual was booked for unlawfully pulling the alarm chain of the 12424 (New Delhi - Dibrugarh) Rajdhani Express at Diphu station. The offender, identified as Shyam Narayan Bind from Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, was travelling from Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn. to Dimapur. Upon failing to deboard in time at Dimapur station, he pulled the alarm chain, causing a 10-minute train delay. On-duty RPF personnel detained him, and he later admitted to the offense. A case has been registered under Section 141 of the Railways Act, with further investigations underway.
Indian Railways has reiterated that pulling the alarm chain without a valid reason is a punishable offense under Section 141 of the Railways Act. Violators may face arrest, fines, or both. N. F. Railway urges passengers to use the alarm chain responsibly to ensure punctuality and prevent inconvenience to fellow travellers
