CR study shows how and why most alarm chain pulling happens at Kalyan station

MUMBAI: On February 28, 13 long distance trains on Central Railway (CR) were affected by alarm chain pulling (ACP) inci- dents, leading to delays in subur- ban local trains by eight to 10 minutes. What followed was a detailed compilation on the number of ACP incidents over the past few weeks.

The CR found that Kalyan sta- tion has the notoriety for ACP cases, the number of which goes up, especially during holidays. So, through day and night, multiple teams of rail staff were posted at Kalyan to identify rea- sons behind these incidents.

“We conducted a detailed study of the trains with the maximum ACP cases. We found the time-period when the red-coloured alarm chain was pulled the most. Accordingly, in the coming days, we will post more staff inside trains, educate people on the why they should not pull alarm chain without a valid reason and we shall even levy fines on those who pull the chain unnecessarily,” said a senior CR official on the condition of anonymity. Data compiled by the CR officials shows that from January to December 2022, 9,049 cases of ACPs were registered, 8,176 persons were apprehended and collected fines of ₹55.86 lakhs. In Mumbai, CR authorities apprehended 3,302 persons and collected ₹23.79 lakh as fines.

“Off late, we have observed that passengers are resorting to ACPs for frivolous reasons like arriving late, alighting and boarding at intermediate stations etc.,” said Shivaji Sutar, chief public relations officer, CR.

Meanwhile, when the railway officials reached Kalyan, they found that despite the platform ticket rates being increased to ₹50 per person, two or more persons accompanied a traveller to the station. There are instances when people, who had only come to drop passengers, had boarded to help with the luggage and ended up blocking the path of passengers. Someone had informed the CR on social media that at Kalyan station, the door of the coach was locked from inside and passengers could not enter the train. The long-distance trains have a halt of three minutes at Kalyan station.

“It has a cascading effect on the suburban local trains. Kalyan is a vital junction that connects trains going towards Karjat and Kasara. And a single incident of ACP leads to delays of eight to 10 minutes. It takes two to five minutes in rectifying the alarm chain,” said a CR official.

After February 28 incident, CR authorities over the next two days took stock of the trains with most ACP cases and the timing of the day when they most occurred. Describing the figures as “astounding”, senior CR officials said there have been 63 cases of ACPs from November 2022 to February 15, 2023. Sources said CR has identified top 10 trains where cases of ACPs are the most; coincidentally majority of these trains are either northbound or returning from northern India. And all these trains halt at Kalyan railway station.

TIMING OF ACPS DETENTION OF TRAINS