Indian Railways Act: Hidden Facts Every Passenger Should Know

Indian Railways is the fourth largest railway network in the world in terms of size as of today. Managing a vast network of railways is both challenging and complex. So, to maintain the transparency of the system and regulate smooth commencement of railway network, different types of Indian railway rules and regulations for passengers are imposed. The Railways Act, 1989 is an Act of the Indian Parliament controlling all aspects of rail transport. It came into force in 1989. There are different sections of this act which conclude all enforced central and state acts like rules, regulations, notifications, orders, circulars, ordinances, and statutes. The Act provides detailed legislative provisions regarding railway zones, construction and maintenance of works, passenger and employee services, all the sections, and schedules. Know about the different sections of The Railways Act, 1989 in this blog and be an informed and aware passenger. Now enjoy fresh and delicious food on the train with RailMitra. Order food online in train from top restaurants and make your train journey a delectable one.

Section 143:Supplying Railway Tickets in an Unauthorized Manner

Section 143 of The Railways Act 1989 contains provisions for imposing a penalty to those who carry on business of procuring and supplying railway tickets in an unauthorized manner.
(1) If a person who is not an authorized IRCTC agent or a railway servant
(a) carries on the business of procuring and supplying railway tickets for travel on a train or for journey in a train from reserved accommodation at a railway station
(b) buys or sells or attempts to buy or sell tickets in order to carry out any such business either by himself or by any other person,
he/she shall be liable for punishment under Indian railway act 143 with imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of ₹10000, or both. The act also directs the person to forfeit tickets which he procures, supplies, purchases, sells or attempts to purchase or sell.

There is an additional condition to this act that if the person fails to provide any special and adequate reasons before the judgment of the court, the aforementioned punishment shall not be less than 1 month imprisonment or a fine of ₹5000 or both.

(2) Whoever encourages or assists in ticket touting, whether or not such offence is committed, is liable for the same punishment as provided for the offence.

Section 141:Wrong use of the Alarm Chain

Section 141 of The Railways Act 1989 states that any person who tries to needlessly interfere with the means of communication in a train shall be liable for punishment. If a person, without a reasonable and sufficient cause, uses any means provided in train for passengers to communicate with railway staff, then he/she is subject to term imprisonment of at most 1 year or a fine of ₹1000 or both.
You must be aware of chain pulling rules so that you know how and when to use this service from Indian railways. If a passenger without any reasonable and sufficient cause makes use of alarm chain provided in the train, then under section 141, he is liable for punishment not less than:
a) A fine of ₹500 for first time offence
b) A term imprisonment of a maximum of 1 year on second and subsequent offence.

Section 137:Indian Railways Ticket Checking Rules

Section 137 of The Railways Act 1989 contains provisions for penalty to anyone who is travelling fraudulently or without a proper pass or ticket for the journey. This section describes all the Indian railway ticket checking rules. It states that a person who:
a)Enters or remains in a compartment without a valid booking ticket or pass
b)Uses or tries to use a ticket which has already been used on a previous journey
is liable for punishment under section 137 with a term imprisonment of a maximum of 6 months or a fine of ₹1000 or both.
Moreover, the person is also liable to pay the excess charge equal to the ordinary single fare for the distance traveled by him or ₹250 whichever is more.

Section 147:Misuse of any Railway Property

Section 147 of The Railways Act 1989 states that if a person boards on a train unlawfully and misuses railway property or refuses to leave, then he is liable for punishment with a term imprisonment of a maximum of 6 months or a fine of ₹1000 or both.
In the absence of a reasonable and sufficient cause, the person is liable for punishment not less than a fine of ₹500.
If a person who has unlawfully entered refuses to leave the train or station premises, then he may be removed by any railway servant or by any railway staff called for aid.

Section 145:Use of Abusive Language by Passengers

Section 145 of The Railways Act 1989 states that if any person who:
a)Is in a state of intoxication
b)Commits an act of indecency
c)Uses abusive or obscene language
d)Boards on train under the influence of liquor
And interferes with the comfortable journey of other passengers, he/she is liable for punishment with a term imprisonment of a maximum of 6 months or a fine of ₹500 or both.

Recommended Read:Indian Railways: Updated rules for Concessions to Students, Senior Citizens and Patients

Section 144:Prohibition of Unauthorized Hawking

Section 144 of The Railways Act, 1989 prohibits unauthorized hawking. It also categorizes begging as an illegal activity in and around station premises. If a person hawks or exposes for sale of articles which are not in accordance with terms and conditions granted by the railway administration, then he/she is liable for punishment with a term imprisonment of a maximum of 1 year or a fine of up to ₹2000, or both. Provided that, in the absence of unique and appropriate grounds to the contrary to be specified in the court’s judgment, such penalty shall be no less than a fine of approximately Rs.1000.

Section 151:Damage or Destruction to Railway Property

Section 151 of The Railways Act 1989 contains provisions for damage or destruction to railway properties by a person. It states that if a person intends to cause damage to rail properties by fire, explosive substance or otherwise, he / she shall be liable for a term of imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine, or both.
Radiation lines, bridges, station buildings, facilities, carriages or wagons, locomotives, signalling, telecommunications, electric traction and block equipment are the list of railway properties that fall under this section.

Section 156: Unauthorized ways of traveling in train

Section 156 of The Railways Act, 1989 states that if a person persists in travelling on the roof, step or foot board of any carriage or on an engine even after warned by railway servant, then he/she is liable for punishment with a term imprisonment of a maximum of 3 months or a fine of ₹500 or both. He/she is not allowed to travel in the train and can be removed by any railway staff without any prior warning.