Thiruvananthapuram: Railways has warned passengers against using mobile phones on speaker mode on trains. Violators face a Rs 1,000 fine and removal from the train, while continued nuisance could attract a fine of up to Rs 5,000 or six months’ imprisonment.Southern Railway has told its divisions to make passengers aware of the rule through public address announcements and notices at stations, and has allowed ticket examiners to take action.Passengers have been asked not to play music, videos or any other audio on speaker mode in trains and on railway premises, and to use earphones and keep phone conversations low.“Loud and prolonged phone conversations and disturbing ringtones can inconvenience fellow passengers, particularly in enclosed spaces such as AC coaches,” the advisory said.The railway board had asked zones to curb the practice in 2012, but it had little effect in many of them. It has now been made a punishable offence through an amendment under the Jan Vishwas Act this year.Passengers welcomed the fines but said they may not work without strict enforcement and wider awareness, as many people ignore etiquette when using phones in public.“It’s a nightmare in AC coaches on express trains because they are silent compared to sleeper-class coaches. There is a need for people to follow some etiquette when in public. The fine should be imposed strictly. It may also be difficult for passengers to complain every time, as the nuisance sometimes starts late at night. The coach can also become quite noisy when groups of passengers talk loudly,” said passenger P Ram Kumar.Sreeja Hari, who travels frequently between Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, said people use phones to watch serials, films and reels, and let children watch cartoons. “On one occasion, three people were using mobile phones on speaker mode on different parts of a coach in Vande Bharat. I informed the TTE.”Railway officials asked passengers to cooperate with staff and maintain basic etiquette. Those facing persistent disturbance can alert railway personnel or complain through RailMadad.
