Thiruvananthapuram: Railways has started cracking down on people flying drones over tracks, stations and other facilities without permission.This comes after a court imposed a fine and one day’s community service for a man in Kollam for flying a drone over the Kappil-Edava railway line illegally. The railways court highlighted the potential risks to railway infrastructure, electrical installations and public safety due to operating drones.The conviction and the crackdown come after provisions of the Jan Vishwas Act were amended this year. Southern Railway has urged the people to avoid unauthorised entry onto railway tracks, bridges and restricted areas for photography, videography or drone operations.Drone filming involving railway property must be undertaken only after obtaining permissions from the competent authorities, said a statement.This will now put vloggers in trouble as several have been using drones to shoot trains, including Vande Bharat services, bridges, tunnels, scenic railway lines, and post the videos and photos on social media. There is good traction for such videos among the rail fans.Though there is a restriction on taking photos and videos at railway stations and on trains, not much action is taken against people who use mobile phones. However, Railways has taken action against people who filmed reels on trains while putting themselves at risk, as well as those who entered the locomotive cabin of a Vande Bharat train.
