Pune: The Pune division of Central Railway has seen the greatest number of alarm chain pulling in trains by passengers this year. Ahmednagar and Daund railway stations have registered the next highest number of alarm chain pulling in trains.
400 Alarm Chain Pulling Incidents
Pune Railway Station reported almost 400 alarm chain pulling cases from January to August, while Ahmednagar and Daund Railway Stations reported 172 and 134 cases, respectively, based on current statistics from the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Ahmednagar and Daund, which had previously been a part of the Solapur division, were added to the Pune division in April of this year.
Two Consecutive Years In A Row
Pune led the list of railway stations during the same period last year with about 570 cases, followed by Chinchwad and Loni stations with about 170 and 160 cases, respectively.
Most Commonly Reported Train Incident
Stone-pelting on train windows is the most commonly reported incident following chain pulling, according to Priyanka Sharma, senior divisional security commissioner of the Pune division. Typically, the RPF manually registers these incidents—which are classified as "punctuality tasks"—as complaints.
"We have two categories: one for complaints or assistance sent via the Rail Madad app, and the other for issues pertaining to punctuality. The main obstacles under the punctuality category—where the RPF's main goal is to avoid train delays—are track runover incidents, stone-throwing, and alarm chain pulling," according to Sharma.
Punishment For Pulling Chain Without Reason
According to Sharma, most alarm chain pulling happens when passengers are running late for a train or are waiting for other passengers. However, pulling the alarm chain without a valid reason is illegal under Section 141 of the Railways Act, 1989. The punishment consists of a fine of Rs 1,000, up to a year in prison, or both.
Indian Railways: RPF Responsibilities
Supervising cases that are filed via the Rail Madad app falls under the second group of RPF responsibilities. Sharma said that most reported cases had to do with bags left behind, even if there isn't much of a distinction between complaints and assistance.
The most common cases are those involving luggage left behind, unresponsive or absent passengers, and theft of personal property, including phones, earbuds, and other goods. The next in line are complaints of nuisance, which include disruptions caused by hawkers or other passengers. Although there is a category for "misbehavior with women." Sharma stated that these instances are uncommon in the Pune division.