Indian Railways Orders Overnight Shutdown of Train Charging Points After Power Bank Blast

Indian Railways has directed all railway zones to strictly enforce a ban on the use of mobile phone and laptop charging points between 11 pm and 5 am inside train coaches, following a power bank explosion aboard a passenger train that renewed concerns over onboard fire hazards.

The incident occurred on the Mumbai-Howrah Mail near Odisha on October 25, when a power bank reportedly exploded in AC coach B-3. The blast briefly disrupted the train's journey but caused no injuries. The incident also highlighted concerns over the failure to switch off charging sockets during the prohibited hours.

The overnight restriction is intended to reduce the risk of fires caused by unattended electronic devices and lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat or catch fire if damaged, defective or improperly handled. A fire inside a moving train can pose a serious threat, particularly when passengers are asleep and may not immediately notice smoke or flames.

The rule is not new. Indian Railways first introduced the overnight charging restriction in 2014, but the latest directive calls for stricter compliance across all zones. Railway authorities have been instructed to reinforce the rules through staff training, inspections and effective monitoring to ensure charging points are switched off during the designated hours.

The restrictions may inconvenience passengers who rely on their phones for alarms, communication, work and navigation, especially on long-distance overnight journeys. However, the safety measure is aimed at reducing avoidable electrical and fire-related risks in crowded coaches.

Passengers travelling overnight should plan their device charging accordingly and ensure their phones, laptops and power banks are adequately charged before the restricted period begins.

The incident serves as a reminder that even a small electronic device can become a serious safety hazard when its battery malfunctions in a confined space.