Playing music, videos on phone speakers in trains? You may face ₹1,000 fine

Playing music and videos on mobile phones in speaker mode at railway stations and inside trains could attract a fine of ₹1,000, according to a latest directive from the Southern Railway.

In a circular dated October 6, the Southern Railway said the widespread availability of mobile internet had led to increased instances of passengers playing videos and other content on speakers in public spaces, inconveniencing fellow travellers.

"There is urgent need to put in place arrangements in order to ensure that travelling passengers are not inconvenienced," it said.

The railway zone has asked its divisions to make announcements in regional languages, Hindi and English through public address systems and display notices educating passengers about the impact of playing music and audio on speakers on the comfort of others.

"Please avoid playing music or videos on speaker mode and refrain from loud conversations while travelling and in Railway premises," the proposed announcement states, advising passengers to use earphones.

The circular cites Section 145 of the Railways Act, as amended through the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, which deals with nuisance and indecent behaviour on railway premises and in trains.

Under the provision cited in the circular, a person committing nuisance can be removed from the railway premises and face a fine of up to ₹1,000.

If the person continues the nuisance despite being directed by an authorised railway employee to stop, the punishment can extend to simple imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to ₹5,000, or both.

The circular also states that competent commercial staff not below the rank of ticket examiner may impose a penalty of ₹1,000 for such nuisance.

Southern Railway has directed its divisions to take necessary action and submit implementation reports to its headquarters by October 20.