GUWAHATI: The provision of “Alarm Chain” is often misused by some passengers affecting train punctuality leading to operational loss and discomfort to fellow passengers. Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has been taking regular actions to control the menace.
During the year 2019, as many as 1,318 cases of misuse of the “Alarm Chain” were reported leading to the arrest of 1,756 persons. During the current year (up till 18th November 2020), 489 cases were reported and 635 persons were arrested.
In all passengers coaches, there are provisions of “Alarm Chain” for passengers to communicate with the guard, loco pilot, or other train escorting staff during any emergency. This continues to be a reliable system for passengers during train journey considering the safety and security issues.
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The “Alarm Chain” shall not be pulled unless there is an emergency e.g. medical emergency, accidents such as fire in the train and other safety purposes like robbery, dacoity, etc.
However, the pulling of the “Alarm Chain” without sufficient and reasonable cause is a crime under Section 141 of the Railways Act, 1989. Under the Railway Act, those found misusing the “Alarm Chain” may have to face imprisonment for a term which may extend up to 1 year or a fine which may extend up to Rs 1,000/- or both.
The analysis of reasons which lead to the pulling of chains indicates that passengers resort to chain pulling for trivial and emotional reasons. The time required in resetting the brake system and recording the reason for alarm chain pull detains the train. Therefore the detention caused by Alarm Chain Pulling (ACP) is three to four times more than the normal braking by loco pilots to stop the train. As a result, the punctuality of other trains on the route also gets affected.