Southern Railway has apprehended over 700 for unauthorized chain-pulling
What's the story
Southern Railway today said it has apprehended 737 passengers and collected Rs. 2.8L as fine for unnecessarily pulling of alarm chain in trains from January-June 2018. It said that on most occasions, the alarm chain was unnecessarily pulled by the passengers when someone could not board/alight train, or when someone could not hop in after alighting to purchase eatables, among other reasons.
Information
Unnecessary pulling of alarm chain is a punishable offense
Pulling of the chain, without valid and sufficient cause such as a threat to life or a dacoity, is a punishable offence that could attract imprisonment upto one year or a fine of Rs. 1,000 or both, the release said.
Affects train service
Southern Railway says delay affects operation of train services
A train stopped by the use of alarm chain has to be detained for a considerable time for resolving the system, the release said. The delay affects the operation of the subsequent train service, it added. On-board railway staff such as train captain, TTEs and coach attendants are always at service and there are helpline numbers to avail of to stop a train.