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Chennai, 19 October 2026: Passengers playing music or watching videos on mobile phones using speaker mode in trains and railway stations may face action for causing nuisance, according to instructions issued by Southern Railway's Commercial Branch.
In a circular dated October 6, 2026, Southern Railway directed its divisions to educate passengers through public address system announcements and displayed notices in English, Hindi and regional languages. The initiative aims to prevent loud audio, music and video playback from disturbing fellow passengers and affecting their comfort.
The instructions also ask passengers to refrain from loud conversations while travelling or staying within railway premises and encourage them to use earphones when listening to music or watching videos.
What does the railway circular say?
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Circular reproduces a provision under which a person committing nuisance may be removed from the railway, face forfeiture of their pass or ticket, and be liable to a fine of ₹1,000. If the person continues the nuisance after being lawfully instructed not to repeat or continue it, the provision cited in the circular provides for simple imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to ₹5,000, or both.
Circular states that authorised commercial staff not below the rank of Ticket Examiner may impose the ₹1,000 penalty for such nuisance.
Announcements to be made in regional languages
Southern Railway has asked its divisions to make announcements and display notices highlighting how playing music or videos on speaker mode can affect other passengers.
Suggested announcement reads: “Please avoid playing music or videos on speaker mode and refrain from loud conversations while travelling and in Railway premises, such conduct may attract action under Section 145 of the Railways Act with a penalty upto Rs.1000/- and or, imprisonment for a term upto 6 months', Please use earphones”
Divisions have been asked to take the necessary action and submit implementation reports to the headquarters office by October 20, 2026.
A reminder about considerate travel
The instructions highlight the importance of respecting other passengers' comfort, particularly in enclosed spaces such as railway coaches. Passengers can help maintain a comfortable travel environment by using earphones, keeping phone volume low and avoiding loud conversations.
What passengers should know: October 6 circular directs divisions to implement announcements and notices. It cites the relevant legal provision on nuisance; it should not be interpreted as evidence that every instance of using a phone speaker automatically attracts a fine, irrespective of the circumstances and applicable legal requirements.
Keywords: Southern Railway, train passenger rules, mobile speaker fine, railway nuisance penalty, Section 145 Railways Act, use earphones in trains, Citizen News Puttur