Indian Railways has directed all railway zones to strictly enforce the overnight shutdown of mobile phone and laptop charging points between 11 PM and 5 AM. The Railway Board reiterated the existing restriction following an incident in which a passenger’s power bank reportedly exploded while charging, producing smoke inside a train.
In a letter dated October 26, 2026, the board instructed railway zones to ensure that onboard staff switch off charging points during the prescribed hours without exception. The directive also calls for staff training and surprise inspections to prevent violations.
Power Bank Explosion Prompts Fresh Directive
The Railway Board’s latest instructions followed an incident in the South Eastern Railway zone in which onboard staff reportedly failed to switch off charging points during the restricted hours.
A passenger’s power bank subsequently exploded while connected to a charging socket, generating smoke and raising concerns about fire safety inside train coaches.
The board has asked all railway zones to issue instructions to the staff concerned and ensure compliance with the shutdown requirement. Officers and supervisors have also been directed to conduct surprise inspections to check whether charging points are switched off on time.
Why Are Charging Points Switched Off at Night?
The restriction dates back to June 2014, when the Railway Board ordered that mobile phone and laptop charging points in air-conditioned coaches be switched off between 11 PM and 5 AM.
The decision followed a fire in an AC three-tier coach of the Hazur Sahib Nanded–KSR Bengaluru Express in 2013. The Commissioner of Railway Safety had recommended disconnecting charging points overnight as a precaution against electrical hazards.
The board subsequently adopted the six-hour shutdown window, citing passenger safety and convenience. Railways were also instructed to display notices in AC coaches informing passengers about the restriction.
Will the Ban Apply to Sleeper Coaches Too?
The question of extending the restriction to non-air-conditioned coaches has emerged following earlier fire incidents.
In November 2023, a fire broke out in a sleeper-class coach of the New Delhi–Darbhanga Humsafar Clone Special in the North Central Railway zone. The fire spread through the coach and affected adjoining coaches.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Railway Safety recommended that charging points in sleeper coaches also be switched off overnight.
However, the Railway Board subsequently stated that deploying staff to enforce the arrangement in non-AC coaches was not feasible because of the costs involved. The latest directive reiterates strict compliance with the prescribed shutdown, although implementation across different coach categories has been an ongoing challenge.
What Should Passengers Do?
Passengers travelling overnight should charge their mobile phones, laptops and power banks before boarding or before the 11 PM restriction begins.
They should not assume that charging sockets will remain operational throughout the night. Travellers can carry a fully charged power bank for backup, but should follow its manufacturer’s safety instructions and avoid using damaged or swollen batteries.
Passengers should also avoid leaving electronic devices unattended while charging and report any signs of overheating, smoke or unusual smells to railway staff immediately.
Railway Board Orders Staff Training and Inspections
The Railway Board has instructed railway zones to train employees responsible for implementing the restriction. Surprise inspections by officers and supervisors will be used to check compliance.
The measure is intended to reduce potential fire hazards associated with unattended charging devices and improve safety during overnight journeys. Railway authorities have also highlighted the risk of mobile phones being stolen when left connected to charging points while passengers sleep.
The latest order reinforces the importance of following existing railway safety instructions. Passengers should plan their device charging around the 11 PM to 5 AM window, while railway staff are expected to ensure that charging points are switched off during the restricted period.
