Indian Railways is planning to impose a severe penalty including arrest of travellers against those found smoking in trains.
यह स्टोरी हिंदी में पढ़ें
This comes after the probe into the recent fire incident in New Delhi-Dehradun Shatabdi Special on 13th March near Raiwala in Uttarakhand. Cigarette stubs were thrown into the dustbin of one of the toilets which were filled with soiled tissue paper. This led to a fire in the S5 coach of the train.
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“We are contemplating severe penalties. In some cases, even arrests can be made for causing damage to public railway property and risking the lives of others to deter irresponsible and errant persons,” a senior officer said.
Also read: The latest COVID-19 travel guidelines, and how to avoid confusion during trip planning
At present, smoking in trains is an offence under Section 167 of the Railways Act. However, anyone found smoking in a compartment despite prohibition or objection from a co-passenger is liable for a fine of up to Rs.100 only.
Now railways is planning to change this and introduce severe penalties and jail for smoking in trains.
Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal in a meeting with Railway Board members and general managers of zones asked them to take proactive steps towards sensitising passengers against smoking in trains and also urged that erring passengers need to be deterred from causing risks to others by smoking in trains.
Here’s the official tweet:
Held a meeting to review the measures taken by Railways to strengthen the safety of passengers.
A pro-active & strict monitoring approach to ensure safety remains the focus area for Railway operations.
📖 https://t.co/5YLnfkTGi1 pic.twitter.com/7m78waJM1p
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) March 19, 2021
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