Prayagraj: Kanpur Central emerged as the hotspot for unnecessary alarm chain pulling (ACP) in the North Central Railway’s Prayagraj Division, accounting for 264 cases.The railway authorities prosecuted 1,757 passengers for misusing the emergency facility during the first five-and-a-half months of 2026 in the division.The figures highlight the challenge faced by the railways in curbing unnecessary alarm chain pulling, a practice that disrupts train operations, affects punctuality and creates avoidable safety concerns. Despite repeated awareness campaigns and strict enforcement, hundreds of passengers continue to misuse the facility meant for genuine emergencies.According to Prayagraj Division PRO, Amit Kumar Singh, the offenders were arrested and prosecuted under the Railway Act between Jan 1 and June 14.After Kanpur Central, the highest number of ACP cases was reported from Tundla, with 186 arrests. Prayagraj Junction followed with 132 cases, while Etawah and Aligarh recorded 131 cases each. Naini (117), Fatehpur (112), Mirzapur (98) and Phaphund (96) also featured prominently on the list. Several other stations, including Prayagraj Chheoki, Manikpur, Shikohabad and Subedarganj, reported significant numbers of offenders.Data shows that ACP violations remained consistently high throughout the year. While 274 offenders were booked in Jan, the number rose to 341 in March and peaked at 386 in May.“The alarm chain is provided solely for use during genuine emergencies and should never be pulled for personal convenience. Unnecessary chain pulling not only delays trains but also inconveniences thousands of passengers and affects the overall efficiency of railway operations,” Singh said.The railway administration has intensified surveillance and enforcement measures across stations and trains to identify offenders. Passengers have been urged to cooperate with railway authorities and use the emergency facility responsibly.
