Indecent act on train to cost you

SWR, Mysore division launches drive to ensure safe journey

Henceforth, while on train, watching porn — either on cellphone or laptop — to the inconvenience of fellow travellers may land you in trouble.

It’s an offence according to the Indian Railway Act and the authorities concerned are liable to impose a fine up to Rs 500 or sentence up to six months.

This was announced to the media at the railway station here on Wednesday, by senior divisional commercial manager, south western railways (SWR), Mysore division, Dr Anup Dayanand Sadhu after the launch of a cleanliness drive.

Detailing about the initiative, the officer said the Act, though in existence earlier, was effected by the railway police force. In the changed set up, following directions from the Railway Board, officer not below the rank of TTs (Travelling ticket collectors) are entrusted with the responsibility of enforcing the Act.

Any traveller found misbehaving on board or stations, creating nuisance under the influence of liquor and using expletives or littering on railway properties will also be dealt under the Act. He or she may be either removed from the train, ticket forfeited, before imposing a fine or sent to jail. The waste should be disposed only at designated places.
The officer appealed to the passengers to complain to TTs or any officer available on and off trains in case of such incidents.

The exercise is intended at making passengers a part of ensuring cleanliness of the train and stations. The division comprises of 79 stations, divided into A and B class stations. Nine stations (major) are classified as ‘A’, including Mysore. The monthly expenditure on maintaining hygiene is Rs five lakh with the job outsourced to a party.

The officer said with the posts of safai karmacharis surrendered to the board and outsourcing becoming inevitable, the drive is intended at minimising the amount spent on ensuring cleanliness.

Replying to media queries, the officer said, there were complaints of reserved berths occupied by others in violation. It’s rampant between Mysore-Bangalore route, where the coaches will be reserved either from Mysore itself or from Bangalore to the long destination routes. Following this, it is being thought of sending RPF personnel along with TTs to Tanjore and Jaipur express trains.