Guwahati: Alarm chains in trains serve as an essential safety feature, allowing passengers to halt the train in cases of genuine emergencies related to security threats, medical crises, or other urgent situations requiring immediate intervention. However, the misuse of alarm chains has increasingly become a significant concern, leading to unnecessary stoppages and disruptions. Many instances of alarm chain pulling occur for non-emergency reasons, such as passengers attempting to board or deboard at undesignated locations, missing their station, or other personal conveniences. Incidents of false alarm chain pulling have become a significant factor in disrupting the efficiency and punctuality of the Indian railway network.

Between January and December 2024, the RPF of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) recorded 2,105 cases of alarm chain pulling. As a result, 2,112 individuals were arrested and fines exceeding Rs. 8.37 lakh were collected from offenders. In the last two months alone, the zone registered 196 cases of false alarm chain pulling, leading to 204 arrests and fines of over Rs. 90 thousand. All apprehended individuals are currently facing trial under the jurisdiction of respective courts for violating the Railways Act.

On 27th February 2025, a man was booked for unlawfully pulling the alarm chain of the 12424 (New Delhi - Dibrugarh) Rajdhani Express at Diphu station without a valid reason. This act resulted in a 10-minute detention of the train. The offender, identified as Shyam Narayan Bind from Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, was traveling from Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn. to Dimapur. As the train began departing from Dimapur station, he was unable to disembark in time and resorted to pulling the alarm chain to stop the train. On-duty RPF personnel detained him and upon questioning, he admitted to the offense. A case has been registered against Shyam Narayan Bind at RPF post Dimapur under Section 141 of the Railways Act, with further investigation underway.

Misuse of the alarm chain on passenger trains impacts punctuality and leads to operational losses for the Railways. N. F. Railway urges passengers to refrain from misusing the alarm chain, as it is an offense that can cause inconvenience to fellow travellers. Pulling the alarm chain without a valid and sufficient reason is punishable under Section 141 of the Railways Act, which may result in arrest, a penalty, or both.