Railway Board Reinforces Overnight Power‑Socket Shutdown After Power‑Bank Explosion

The Railway Board has issued a fresh directive requiring every railway zone to ensure that mobile phone and laptop charging sockets in train coaches remain off between 11 pm and 5 am, citing fire‑safety concerns.

The order references a recent incident on the South Eastern Railway where a passenger’s power bank exploded while charging during the prohibited period, prompting the board to stress strict compliance and surprise inspections of staff.

The overnight shutdown rule was first introduced in 2014 following a 2013 fire in an AC‑3 tier coach, and was later extended to sleeper‑class coaches after a 2023 fire incident, though the board noted the cost of enforcing it in non‑AC coaches.

Railway zones have been instructed to train staff on the new enforcement measures and to place stickers in AC coaches informing passengers of the restriction.

The board did not specify alternative charging arrangements, so passengers are expected to charge devices before the 11 pm‑5 am window.