(Photo Courtesy: NFR)
Maligaon, August 1 (MExN): The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) on Saturday announced revisions to several provisions of the Railways Act, 1989, in line with amendments introduced by the Indian Railways, while also issuing fresh cancellations and rescheduling of trains due to continuing restoration work near New Harangajao station in Assam.
In a statement, the NFR said the amendments aim to simplify compliance for railway-related offences, align certain provisions with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and ensure stricter action against offences affecting passenger safety and railway operations.
The revised provisions decriminalise several minor violations by replacing imprisonment with monetary penalties for first-time or less serious offences, while retaining stringent punishment for repeat offenders and serious violations.
According to the NFR, changes have been made to Sections 137, 138, 142, 144, 145, 146, 147, 155, 159, 162, 163, 165, 166, 167 and 172 of the Railways Act, 1989.
Under the revised provisions, offences such as travelling without a valid ticket, travelling beyond the booked destination without authorisation, transfer of tickets, unauthorised entry into reserved compartments, smoking and defacing railway property will primarily attract monetary penalties. Imprisonment will generally apply only in cases of non-payment of penalties or repeated offences.
However, offences affecting passenger safety and public order, including drunkenness causing nuisance, obstruction of railway staff, trespassing, unlawful carriage of offensive goods and misconduct endangering railway operations, will continue to invite stringent legal action.
The NFR appealed to passengers to familiarise themselves with the amended provisions and adhere to railway rules, stating that the changes are intended to facilitate prompt enforcement of minor offences while allowing authorities to focus on serious violations that threaten passenger safety and the smooth functioning of train services.
NFR cancels, reschedules trains on hill section
Meanwhile, the NFR said restoration work is continuing near New Harangajao station following the settlement of tracks on Line-1 and Line-2. Train operations on the Lumding-Badarpur Hill Section are currently being maintained through Line-3 under enhanced safety measures.
In view of the ongoing restoration work, Train No. 15615 Guwahati-Silchar Express, scheduled to commence its journey on August 2, and Train No. 15616 Silchar-Guwahati Express, scheduled to commence on August 3, have been cancelled.
The railway also rescheduled Train No. 15650 Narangi-Agartala Express to depart at 10.30 pm on August 2; Train No. 15649 Agartala-Narangi Express to depart at 11.30 pm on August 2; Train No. 15609 Guwahati-Sairang Express to depart at 11.30 pm on August 2; Train No. 15610 Sairang-Guwahati Express to depart at 9.30 pm on August 2; Train No. 15611 Rangiya-Silchar Express to depart at 11.30 pm on August 2; Train No. 15612 Silchar-Rangiya Express to depart at 5 am on August 3; and Train No. 01666 Agartala-Rani Kamalapati Special to depart at 11 pm on August 2.
Additionally, Train No. 12503 SMVT Bengaluru-Agartala Express, which commenced its journey on July 31, will be regulated en route, the NFR said.
The restoration work follows the settlement of railway tracks near New Harangajao, which has disrupted operations on the Lumding-Badarpur Hill Section in recent days.
