Indian Railways orders that mobile charging points in train coaches stay switched off between 11 pm and 5 am following reports of a power bank explosion and smoke in a coach. The Railway Board issues the instruction to all zonal railways, citing fire-safety risks from electronic devices charging overnight while passengers are likely asleep.
Outlets report that staff compliance is central to the directive. One report says the incident involved onboard staff on South Eastern Railway who did not switch off the charging points during the prescribed hours, leading to smoke after the power bank exploded. NDTV also describes a Mumbai local incident where a coach filled with thick smoke, and says no injuries were reported.
Railway Board materials cited across coverage emphasize reiteration of existing fire-safety instructions, along with steps such as counselling and training onboard staff and conducting surprise inspections. One outlet also adds that officers and supervisors are directed to verify adherence, framing the move as enforcement of rules rather than a new safety standard.
