South Eastern Railway intensifies drive against misuse of alarm chain pulling

Mail News Service

Kharagpur: The Kharagpur Division of South Eastern Railway has intensified its awareness campaigns and enforcement drives to prevent the misuse of Alarm Chain Pulling (ACP) systems in trains.

Railway officials stated that the alarm chain was an important safety feature intended strictly for genuine emergencies such as medical crises, fire incidents, threats to life, or other serious safety concerns. However, passengers continued to misuse the system for personal convenience, including getting down at unauthorized locations, causing disruption to train operations and inconvenience to fellow passengers.

To curb such misuse, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Commercial Department have been conducting regular inspections, surprise checks, and awareness campaigns across trains and railway stations. Announcements were also being made continuously to educate passengers that unauthorized use of the alarm chain was a punishable offence under the Railways Act.

According to official data, strict action had been taken over the past four months. In January 2026, 147 cases of alarm chain misuse were detected and 139 people were arrested. In February, 142 cases were registered with 133 arrests. March witnessed 176 cases and 160 arrests, while April recorded 141 cases and 126 arrests.

Railway authorities reiterated that offenders were liable for penalties, fines, and possible imprisonment. Passengers had been urged to use the alarm chain only during genuine emergencies and cooperate with railway authorities to ensure safe, punctual, and hassle-free train operations.

The Kharagpur Division emphasized its commitment to maintaining discipline, passenger safety, and operational efficiency throughout the railway network.