Planning an overnight train journey? You’ll need to adjust your charging routine. Indian Railways is strictly enforcing a rule to switch off all charging points from 11 PM to 5 AM, a move driven by serious safety concerns.
The Rule: A Six-Hour Blackout for Your Charger
If you find the charging socket
by your berth is dead after 11 PM, it isn't broken. The Railway Board has reiterated a directive to all railway zones to ensure power to mobile and laptop charging points is cut off for six hours every night, between 11 PM and 5 AM. This isn't a new policy, but its enforcement is being renewed with increased strictness across the network, including AC and sleeper coaches. The Railway Board has instructed staff to ensure compliance without exception and has ordered surprise inspections to make sure the rule is followed.
Why the Shutdown? A Focus on Fire Safety
The primary driver behind this rule is fire prevention. The directive was recently re-emphasised after a passenger's power bank exploded and filled a coach with smoke during the restricted night hours on a South Eastern Railway train in October 2026. This is not an isolated incident. The original rule was established back in 2014 on the recommendation of the Commissioner of Railway Safety, following a deadly fire in an AC coach of the Bengaluru-Nanded Express in 2013. Incidents, including another fire in November 2023 on a Humsafar Clone Special, have repeatedly highlighted the dangers of unattended devices charging overnight. Electronics, especially those with faulty batteries or connected to low-quality chargers, can overheat and enter a state called 'thermal runaway', leading to smoke, fire, and even explosions. The risk is significantly higher when passengers are asleep and may not notice a device overheating.
A Precautionary Measure, Not a Punishment
While the six-hour blackout may seem like an inconvenience, railway officials view it as a critical safety measure. The logic is simple: a period of inconvenience is a small price to pay to prevent a potential catastrophe in a confined space like a train coach. The power systems on trains are designed primarily for essential functions like lights and fans, with charging points added as a convenience. Overloading these circuits, especially when many passengers charge devices simultaneously overnight, increases the risk of short circuits and fires. This shutdown minimises that risk during the hours when a fire would be most difficult to detect and manage. Officials have also noted that the rule helps prevent theft of devices left charging unattended overnight.
How to Prepare for Your Overnight Journey
For passengers, this rule requires a slight shift in travel habits. The most straightforward solution is to ensure your devices—phones, laptops, and especially power banks—are fully charged before you board the train or before the 11 PM cutoff. Consider carrying a fully charged, high-quality power bank as a backup, but avoid charging the power bank itself on the train, as these devices have been specifically implicated in recent incidents. During the hours when charging is permitted, always use original or certified chargers and cables. Never leave a device to charge under a pillow or blanket, as this can cause it to overheat. If you notice any device becoming unusually hot or emitting a strange smell, unplug it immediately and inform railway staff.
