539 Chain Pulling Cases in 4 Months: Pune Division Fines Offenders Rs 2 Lakh, 336 Arrested
Reported by Amit Singh
Pune, 12th May 2025: In a determined crackdown on the misuse of the Alarm Chain Pulling (ACP) mechanism, the Pune Division of Central Railway has reported 539 cases between January and April 2025, resulting in the arrest of 336 individuals and the recovery of fines totaling Rs. 2,05,580.
This proactive enforcement comes as part of a broader initiative to reduce unwarranted ACP incidents that have a direct impact on train punctuality and passenger convenience.
“Misuse of the ACP mechanism not only disrupts scheduled train operations but also jeopardizes onboard passenger safety,” said Rajesh Kumar Verma, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Pune Division. “Delays due to unjustified ACP lead to cascading effects on other services, increased operational costs, and substantial commercial losses for Indian Railways. We are urging passengers to refrain from using this emergency feature unless absolutely necessary.”
A performance review showed a steady month-on-month decline in ACP incidents—falling from 181 in November 2024 to 120 in March 2025. However, April 2025 saw a slight increase to 153 cases due to the movement of special trains, still lower than the 178 incidents recorded in April 2024.
Key preventive measures adopted include:
- Regular RPF awareness campaigns on legal consequences of ACP misuse
- Intensified ticket-checking drives to deter unauthorized travel
- Enhanced patrols in high-risk zones
- Technical adjustments in LHB coaches to prevent accidental chain pulling
- Deployment of RPF escorts on 24 vulnerable train routes
- Real-time monitoring of complaints via the Rail Madad platform
Section 141 of the Railways Act, 1989, stipulates that unauthorized ACP can lead to imprisonment of up to one year, a fine up to Rs. 1,000, or both.
Speaking on the matter, Senior Divisional Security Commissioner (Sr. DSC) Priyanka Sharma said, “Our team remains vigilant round the clock to ensure passenger safety. We appeal to all travelers to act responsibly and reserve ACP use strictly for genuine emergencies. Misuse not only delays trains but also diverts critical security and administrative resources that could otherwise be used to enhance safety and service quality.”
The Pune Division continues to reinforce its commitment to punctual and safe train operations, calling for full cooperation from the traveling public.
