Maharashtra: Alarm Chain Pulling Incidents Rampant In State; CR  Registers 1075 Cases Between April To November

Maharashtra: Alarm Chain Pulling Incidents Rampant In State; CR  Registers 1075 Cases Between April To November

According to CR, the act of ACP in trains not only affects the running of that particular train but also has a cascading effect on the trains that follow behind

Kamal MishraUpdated: Friday, December 08, 2023, 10:30 PM IST
article-image
File

In Mumbai, where the local trains are the lifeline of daily commuting, a growing concern has emerged in the form of frequent instances of alarm chain pulling ( ACP) on long-distance trains. Between April to November this year a total of 1075 cases of ACP were reported in the entire Central Railway jurisdiction including 344 in Mumbai division, 355 in Bhusaval division, 241 in Nagpur, 96 in Pune division and 39 in Solapur division of Central Railway.

"The ripple effect of chain pulling extends beyond immediate delays. On average 12 suburban trains of Mumbai division affected daily ( delayed up to 10 minutes) contribute to overcrowded platforms, irate passengers, and compromised safety protocols. Moreover, the cumulative punctuality loss of 16.50% poses a significant challenge to the Central Railway's commitment to maintaining a reliable and efficient transportation system" said a senior officer of CR.

Apart from suburban trains of Mumbai division, these ACP incidences contributes  8.29 percent punctuality loss of Mail/Express trains daily over Central Railway

According to CR, during the period from April to November 2023, over Central Railway, due to Alarm chain pulling incidences, overall 1075 long distance trains were delayed up to 10 minutes including 344 Mail /Express trains in Mumbai Division, 355 Trains in Bhusawal Division, 241 trains in Nagpur Division, 96 in Pune Division and 39 in Solapur Division. 

In November alone, over Central Railway, due to Alarm chain pulling incidents, overall 197 Trains were delayed with an average punctuality loss of 10 minutes. i.e 73 Mail /Express trains in Mumbai Division, 53 in Bhusawal Division, 34 trains in Nagpur Division, 30 in Pune Division and 8 in Solapur Division.

ACP being used for frivolous reasons: CR

"Railways have provided an Alarm Chain Pulling (ACP) option in Suburban and Mail / Express trains for use during emergency purpose only. It is observed that passengers are resorting to ACP for frivolous reasons like arriving late, alighting/boarding at intermediate stations etc," said Dr Shivraj Manaspure chief public relations officer of CR.

According to CR, the act of ACP in trains not only affects the running of that particular train but also has a cascading effect on the trains that follow behind. In a suburban system like Mumbai Division, this results in late running of Mail / Express and suburban trains hampering its punctuality. Further the misuse of ACP for the convenience of one or few passengers ends up causing inconvenience to all other passengers.

"Legal action is being taken against those who are involved in unauthorised chain pulling by registering cases under section 141 of the Railway Act. In the Act, there is a provision of fine of Rs 1000 or imprisonment of one year, or both,” said officer of CR adding that between April to November cases against 793 persons for misuse of alarm chain pulling were registered and  a fine of Rs. 2.72 lakhs released from them.

Trains in which frequent Alarm chain pulling cases occur

Panvel - Gorakhpur Express

LTT - Gorakhpur Express

CSMT - Howrah Mail (via  - Allahabad)

CSMT- Howrah Mail (via Nagpur) 

CSMT - Lucknow Pushpak Express

LTT - Gorakhpur Express 

Mumbai - Howrah Gitanjali Express 

Yesvantpur - Nizmuddin express

Vasco - Nizamuddin Goa Express 

Nizamuddin - Vasco Goa Express 

Coimbatore - LTT Express

Pune - Jammu Tawi Jhelum Express 

New Delhi Bengaluru Express

Mysore - Bagalkot Basava exp

Most affected stations

Kalyan, Dadar, Thane, CSMT, Kasara, Panvel, LTT stations and Ambivli, Titwala, Nashik, Khandwa Burhanpur , Solapur, Ahmednagar Nagpur and Pune 

Total number of ACP cases (From April to November 2023)

Total case reported over Central Railway ----1075

Mumbai Division- 344

Bhusaval Division- 355

Nagpur Division- 241

Pune Division - 96

Solapur Division- 39

RECENT STORIES

Mumbai Weather Update: City Shows No Signs Of Winter; AQI Remains 'Poor'

Mumbai Weather Update: City Shows No Signs Of Winter; AQI Remains 'Poor'

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: 2,938 Candidates Withdraw Nominations, Key Battles Loom In...

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: 2,938 Candidates Withdraw Nominations, Key Battles Loom In...

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: MNS Chief Raj Thackeray Criticises Political Party Splits In...

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: MNS Chief Raj Thackeray Criticises Political Party Splits In...

NIA Takes Over Investigation Into Murder Of 27-Year-Old Suspected 'Police Informer' In Gadchiroli, 4...

NIA Takes Over Investigation Into Murder Of 27-Year-Old Suspected 'Police Informer' In Gadchiroli, 4...

Mumbai: BMC Reinstates Contractual Healthcare Staff At Peripheral Hospitals Amid Concerns Over...

Mumbai: BMC Reinstates Contractual Healthcare Staff At Peripheral Hospitals Amid Concerns Over...