Claim
Indian Railways has enforced a strict night-time ban on using phone charging points in train coaches between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM following a recent power bank explosion aboard a train.
Verdict
True. The Railway Board issued a fresh directive to all zonal railways on October 26, 2026, ordering the strict enforcement of the existing rule that cuts off power to mobile and laptop charging points between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM to prevent fire hazards.
What
The Railway Board has directed all railway zones across the country to strictly ensure that mobile phone, laptop, and electronic charging sockets inside train coaches remain switched off from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Board officials have stated that no exceptions will be made, and zonal staff have been instructed to conduct surprise checks to ensure full compliance.
Why
The immediate trigger for the renewed directive was an incident on a Mumbai-bound train under the South Eastern Railway zone, where a passenger’s power bank exploded while plugged into a charging point, filling the coach with dense smoke. Furthermore, leaving electronic devices unattended while charging overnight poses severe fire hazards due to short-circuiting and battery overheating, while also increasing the risk of device theft during sleep hours.
When
The latest directive was officially issued by the Railway Board on October 26, 2026. While the night-time restriction originally dates back to June 2014—introduced following recommendations from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) after a major fire on the Hazur Sahib Nanded–KSR Bengaluru Express in December 2013—the recent power bank incident prompted immediate and strict re-enforcement.
Whom
The directive applies to all train passengers travelling on Indian Railways services during overnight hours. It impacts onboard railway staff, technicians, and primary supervisors who are responsible for cutting the power supply during the stipulated window and executing surprise inspections to maintain compliance.
How
Power to the main charging lines in train coaches will be manually or centrally disconnected from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Railway zones are conducting training and counseling sessions for onboard staff to ensure compliance. Supervisors will carry out surprise night-time inspections to verify that charging points are non-functional during the 6-hour window. Passengers are advised to charge their electronic devices prior to 11:00 PM or before starting their overnight travel.
Conclusion
The news that Indian Railways is enforcing a night-time charging ban from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM following a power bank explosion is factual. While the policy itself originates from safety guidelines set in 2014, the Railway Board’s fresh circular mandates zero tolerance and strict compliance across all zonal railways to protect passenger safety and prevent electrical fires onboard.