VIRAL WATCH: Woman uses electric kettle in moving train, action likely under railway rules

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu):;A video showing a woman ignoring safety rules while travelling on a train has gone viral on social media. In the footage, a female passenger is seen plugging an electric kettle into the charging socket near her seat and preparing food inside the coach. The clip has triggered concerns about passenger safety. Taking note of the incident, Indian Railways clarified that the use of such electrical appliances inside trains is unsafe, strictly prohibited and punishable under railway regulations.

Railway authorities explained that the charging points provided in coaches operate on limited voltage and are meant only for low-power devices such as mobile phones and laptops. Using high-power appliances like electric kettles, which consume large amounts of electricity, can lead to overloading, short circuits or even fire hazards. Such misuse may disrupt the electrical system of the coach and put the safety of all passengers at risk. The use of heat-generating devices including kettles, immersion rods, heating coils and induction cookers is therefore banned.

Officials stated that using high-powered appliances on trains is treated as misuse of railway property and a serious violation of safety norms. Under the Railways Act, offenders may face fines and imprisonment depending on the severity of the violation. Similar cases have surfaced earlier as well, prompting authorities to repeatedly warn passengers to follow safety guidelines and use only permitted facilities while travelling. Passengers have also been advised to inform railway staff immediately if they notice any unsafe activity during the journey.