Ranchi: Passengers in Jharkhand have raised concerns over the railway ministry’s directive to switch off mobile charging points in train coaches between 11pm and 5am, saying the move could leave them without access to essential services during overnight journeys.The ministry, in a letter to the principal chief electrical engineers of all zones on Oct 26, directed railway authorities to ensure that charging points in all coaches remain switched off during the six-hour period. It said the measure was aimed at preventing fires and other safety hazards.However, passengers and members of commuters’ associations have termed the decision arbitrary and inconvenient.Prem Kataruka, secretary of the Jharkhand Passengers’ Association, said mobile phones had become an essential part of train travel. Passengers use them to display e-tickets, access travel information, make digital payments, book cabs and contact family members, he said.“Switching off charging facilities for six hours could cause considerable inconvenience, especially to passengers travelling long distances or overnight. I have never heard of a train catching fire because of mobile phone charging. If the ministry is concerned about safety, it should introduce alternative safeguards instead of inconveniencing passengers,” Kataruka said.Dhanbad resident Sanjay Chatterjee, who travelled to Jaipur on Oct 28, said passengers in his third AC coach were informed by attendants that the charging facility would remain unavailable from 11pm to 5am.“I was carrying a power bank, but several passengers had to wait until morning to charge their phones,” he said.Another passenger, Dinesh Singh, who was travelling from Ranchi to Delhi, said a charged mobile phone was necessary even after passengers reached their destination.“People need phones to book cabs, contact their families, make online payments and use railway apps or helplines to report issues such as dirty coaches and faulty facilities. If phones cannot be charged when required, how will passengers access these services?” he asked.Passengers said the ministry should consider safer charging systems, regular inspections and stricter action against faulty equipment instead of completely disabling charging points at night.
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