The Salem Railway Division (SRD), on Monday (May 11, 2026), said that in April 2026 alone, 57 incidents of alarm chain pulling (ACP) were reported in SRD.

In a release, the SRD stated that alarm chain handles are provided in all train coaches to enable passengers to stop the train in case of an emergency. However, unnecessary interference with the alarm chain is a punishable offence and cases are registered under Section 141 of the Indian Railways Act. During April, 2026, a total of 57 incidents of ACP were reported in Salem Division. After due inquiries, 42 instances were identified as having been done without any valid reason. The passengers involved in these cases were apprehended and prosecuted by RPF.

The released further stated that it is a matter of concern that many incidents of ACP occur due to lack of awareness, as some passengers mistakenly use the handle while attempting to access upper berths. To address this issue, continuous awareness campaigns are being conducted at railway stations and on board trains, educating passengers about the proper use of alarm chains and the legal consequences of misuse.

Preventive measures have been implemented to curb unauthorised/unnecessary use of alarm chain handles. These include the installation of transparent protective covers over the handles and the placement of warning stickers indicating the legal implications of misuse. . Pulling the alarm chain unnecessarily is an offence, punishable by a fine of ₹1,000 or imprisonment for up to one year or both, the released stated.

Likewise, overcrowding in reserved coaches has emerged as a security concern. Unreserved passengers frequently board reserved coaches, which has resulted in a higher number of complaints being registered on the RailMadad portal. To address this, the most vulnerable trains have been identified and joint inspections are being conducted by RPF in coordination with commercial staff, including travelling ticket examiners. During these checks, unreserved passengers found travelling in reserved coaches are de-boarded and directed to general coaches. 

In the Salem division, during April, 1,076 passengers were de-boarded from reserved coaches by the RPF f and were redirected to general coaches, the SRD added in the release.