Vijayawada: The Vijayawada Division of the Indian Railways has reported a significant increase in the misuse of Alarm Chain Pulling Devices, leading to unnecessary delays and inconveniences for both passengers and train operations.
In the current financial year, a total of 2,159 incidents of alarm chain pulling have been recorded, with the highest number of occurrences observed in Oct 2023 and during festive seasons.
The misuse of these devices is primarily attributed to the transition from conventional ICF (Integral Coach Factory) coaches to LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches in Express and Passenger trains. In conventional coaches, the alarm chain has been replaced with the Passenger Emergency Alarm Signalling Device (PEASD) or the Alarm Chain Pulling Device, which is recognizable by its red knob-like appearance.
Passengers have been observed hanging various personal items, such as luggage and mobile phones, on these devices, resulting in unintended dislocation and chain pulling.
Such actions have led to prolonged detentions of Express and Passenger trains on mid-line sections. These cause disruptions.
To address this issue, the Vijayawada division of the Indian Railways has issued a travel advisory to passengers, urging them to refrain from using these devices for non-emergency purposes.
The Railway authorities note that the alarm chain system is designed to be used exclusively in critical situations, such as accidents, medical emergencies, or incidents that require immediate attention.
The misuse of the alarm chain pulling device is considered a punishable offense under Section 141 of the Railways Act, 1989. Offenders can face a fine of '1000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both, depending on the severity of the misuse.
