Play Reels on Speaker in Trains, Pay ₹1,000: Indian Railways Invokes Nuisance Law Against Loud Phones
Southern Railway has told its divisions to act against passengers who play music, videos or reels on phone speakers in trains and stations. They can now be treated as causing a nuisance under Section 145(2)(a) of the Railways Act, as amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026. Offenders face a ₹1,000 fine and removal from the train, and repeat offenders face up to six months in jail or a fine of up to ₹5,000.
Passengers on Indian trains who play music, videos or reels on their phone speakers can now be fined ₹1,000 and taken off the train.
Southern Railway has told its divisions to enforce the Railways Act's nuisance provision against loud phone use.
What the Circular Says
The circular, No. C.14/PA/PAS dated 6 October 2026, was issued by Southern Railway's Commercial Branch in Chennai with the approval of the Principal Chief Commercial Manager.
It went to the Chennai, Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai and Salem divisions.
It notes that with mobile internet now widespread, playing videos and other content on speaker mode in public spaces has become common and is making travel less comfortable for other passengers.
It calls for urgent arrangements to stop this.
The Law Being Applied
The circular applies Section 145(2)(a) of the Railways Act, as amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026.
Under it, anyone in a railway carriage or on railway premises who commits a nuisance, or who wilfully interferes with an amenity so as to affect another passenger's comfortable travel:
- Can be removed from the railway and lose their pass or ticket
- Can be fined ₹1,000
- If they carry on after being told to stop by an authorised railway servant, faces simple imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to ₹5,000, or both
Staff not below the rank of Ticket Examiner can impose the ₹1,000 penalty.
Public Announcements
Divisions have been told to make announcements on public address systems in regional languages, Hindi and English:
"Please avoid playing music or videos on speaker mode and refrain from loud conversations while traveling and in Railway premises, such conduct may attract action under Section 145 of the Railways Act with a penalty upto Rs.1000/- and or, imprisonment for a term upto 6 months', Please use earphones"
Divisions must send an implementation report by 20 October 2026.
The circular builds on a 2012 Railway Board instruction against loud talking, long phone conversations and objectionable ringtones, especially in AC coaches.
What It Means for Passengers
The rule targets sound, not content.
Watching reels, videos or music with earphones is allowed.
Playing them out loud, along with loud conversations, can now lead to a fine.
The circular was issued by Southern Railway.
Other zones have similar rules on loud phone use, but this circular only covers Southern Railway's divisions.