Passenger's 'Kitchen Hack' Sparks Railway Safety Concerns
The Central Railway has launched disciplinary proceedings after a viral video showed a woman passenger cooking instant noodles using an electric kettle inside an air-conditioned train coach. The incident, which occurred on November 20, has raised serious concerns about railway safety protocols and passenger behavior.
The video was first posted on the Instagram account of Sarita Lingayat and quickly gained traction across social media platforms. The footage shows the woman plugging a domestic electric kettle into the coach's charging socket and preparing noodles while joking about her ability to "set up a kitchen anywhere." She even claimed she was making tea for more than a dozen people using the prohibited appliance.
Railway Officials Term It Major Safety Violation
Senior Central Railway officials have classified the incident as a significant safety breach that cannot be overlooked. "This is a serious safety violation and it will be dealt with firmly," stated a CR official. The official emphasized that while such acts might appear minor to passengers, they carry substantial fire risks that endanger everyone onboard.
Railway engineers explained that coach sockets are designed exclusively for low-power devices such as mobile phones and laptops, providing only 110 volts at low amperage. In contrast, heating appliances like kettles typically draw between 1,000 and 2,000 watts, creating a dangerous overload situation that could lead to short circuits, electrical fires, or disruption of the air conditioning system.
Identification Process and Legal Action Underway
Railway authorities have identified the social media account that posted the controversial clip and are currently working to trace the passenger involved. Officials are correlating reservation details, examining CCTV footage from the train, and analyzing digital records to confirm the woman's identity.
Once identified, action will be taken under the Railways Act, with Section 147(1) concerning trespass or misuse of railway property after lawful entry likely to be applied. This legal provision addresses situations where passengers misuse railway facilities despite having legitimate access to them.
Following the incident, the Central Railway reiterated its safety guidelines on its official X handle, clearly stating that appliances such as kettles, immersion rods, and heating coils are strictly prohibited in trains. The railway administration noted that despite warning stickers placed near every socket, similar violations have been reported in the past, with offenders facing fines or detention depending on the severity of the breach.
Technical staff emphasized that overloading coach electrical systems can trip the power supply, disrupt essential systems, and create fire hazards that could prove catastrophic in enclosed train compartments. The CR official added that while such incidents occur infrequently, they are not entirely isolated, highlighting the need for continued passenger education about electrical safety standards.
"Passengers must understand that coach sockets cannot handle heavy voltage. Using them for heating appliances is dangerous and puts everyone at risk. Strict action will be taken against anyone who compromises safety," the official concluded, sending a clear message to all railway passengers about the seriousness of such violations.
