New Delhi, November 2, 2026: Indian Railways has reinforced a night-time safety measure under which mobile charging points in trains are to remain switched off between 11 PM and 5 AM.
The Railway Board has directed railway zones to ensure that charging points are disabled during the six-hour window. The measure follows safety concerns after a power bank explosion onboard a train, according to reports published on Monday.
What passengers should know
- Plan phone and device charging before the night-time restriction begins.
- Carry a charged power bank only where permitted and use it according to railway safety instructions.
- Do not leave electronic devices plugged in unattended.
- Report smoke, unusual heat, sparks or damaged sockets immediately to railway staff.
Why the rule matters
Electrical faults, damaged batteries and unattended charging devices can increase fire risks in enclosed train coaches. A time-based shutdown is intended to reduce hazards when many passengers are asleep and may not notice an early warning.
Passengers should follow announcements and instructions issued by train staff, as implementation details may vary by coach and service.
Source: The Indian Express – India news coverage, November 2, 2026.
