Railways have provided an Alarm Chain Pulling (ACP) option in Suburban and Mail / Express trains for use during emergencies. The alarm chain is designed to be pulled in emergency situations o­nly to alert the Loco pilot and Train Manager(Guard) of the train. The proper use of alarm chains in trains is critical for ensuring passenger safety and maintaining the punctuality of train services.It has been observed that passengers are resorting to misuse of ACP for frivolous reasons like arriving late, alighting/boarding at intermediate stations etc. Misuse of the alarm chain is a punishable offence under section 141 of the Railways Act which can lead to serious consequences for the offender. Penalties may include imprisonment for up to o­ne year, a fine of Rs 1000 or both.

During the year 2025, 5180 persons were arrested for ACP and during the first four months ofyear 2026 (upto April 2026), 1483 persons were arrested. During the year 2025,the most Vulnerable stations/Affected Section/ Hotspot areas were Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, New Delhi, Panipat, Rohtak, Delhi-Ghaziabad-Muzaffarnagar, New Delhi-Sonipat-Kurukshetra, Delhi Kishanganj-Rohtak-Jakhal, Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Delhi Cantt-Gurgaon & Hazrat Nizamudin-Faridabad- Palwal. Valid reasons to pull the alarm chain include emergencies such as fire incidents, health emergencies, criminal activities, or accidents during boarding or alighting from the train. These situations require immediate attention from the train crew to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers.

The act of ACP in train not o­nly affects the running of that particular train but also has a cascading effect o­n the trains following which 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. Passengers should use alternative means for non-emergency situations like approaching the train's staff, such as the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE), dial Rail Madad o­n 139 or seek help from fellow passengers.

Delhi Division urges all passengers to plan their journey responsibly by arriving at the station well in advance, at least thirty minutes before the scheduled departure of their train. Arriving early not o­nly ensures a hassle-free boarding process but also contributes to maintaining the punctuality of the train services. Delhi Division appeals to all passengers to use the alarm chain responsibly and refrain from pulling it except in genuine emergency situations. By adhering to these guidelines, passengers contribute in maintaining the safety, punctuality, and smooth operation of train services.