The Need to Reform the Emergency Chain Pulling System in Indian Railways : Railway Advanced Alarm System

Abstract

The Emergency Chain Pulling (ECP) system in Indian Railways, originally designed as a safety measure, is now being frequently misused, leading to unnecessary train stoppages, delays, and operational inefficiencies. This research examines the limitations of the existing ECP mechanism, including its vulnerability to misuse, lack of accountability, and its impact on train schedules. Through an in-depth analysis of railway reports, case studies, and passenger behaviour patterns, this study explores the need for a more effective and controlled alternative to the current system. The research evaluates global best practices and technological advancements to propose a RAAS (Railway Advanced Alarm System) as a viable alternative. The proposed system uses Aadhaar-based authentication and verification for passengers as well as for train authorities, QR Code scanning for triggering the alarm and real time data transfer of the passenger to the train authorities to take an appropriate action if it is a false alarm. Through this research, we assess the feasibility, benefits, and challenges of implementing RAAS in Indian Railways. The findings aim to provide actionable insights for policymakers and railway authorities to modernize emergency stop system in trains while ensuring passenger safety and train punctuality.

Introduction

The Emergency Chain Pulling (ECP) system was introduced in Indian Railways to allow passengers to stop trains during emergencies like medical crises or fires. However, it has been widely misused for non-emergency reasons (e.g., late boarding, missed stops), causing:

• Severe train delays

• Operational inefficiencies

• Safety hazards

• A lack of accountability due to the anonymous nature of chain-pulling

Despite penalties, enforcement remains weak. This research proposes the Railway Advanced Alarm System (RAAS) as a technologically driven, accountable, and scalable alternative to the outdated ECP mechanism.

???? 2. Literature Review & Case Studies

A. Current System Flaws

• No verification of chain-pulling identity

• Frequent misuse results in delays and risks

• Manual process, no real-time communication

• Lack of digital integration with railway operations

B. Case Studies

1. Vijayawada Division: Over 2,100 misuse cases in a year.

2. Jalgaon Train Accident (2025): False alarm caused panic and deaths.

3. Godan Express (2022): Unjustified stop on a bridge endangered the loco pilot.

C. Global Best Practices

• UK: Passenger Alert System connects passengers with staff, doesn’t stop trains instantly.

• Germany: Emergency Brake Override allows driver control during high-risk zones.

These systems emphasize verified, delayed response—unlike India’s direct ECP halts.

D. Gaps Identified

• No digital verification or identity tracking

• Lacks smart infrastructure or data analytics

• Absence of real case-based studies or policy reforms

• No real-time accountability

???? 3. Research Methodology

• Design: Exploratory and descriptive

• Data Collection:

  • Primary: Surveys and interviews with passengers, staff, and policymakers

  • Secondary: Case studies and reports

• Sampling: Simple random selection

• Analysis: Statistical and thematic

• Limitations:

  • Small sample size

  • No live RAAS testing

  • Limited railway data access

???? 4. Proposed System: RAAS (Railway Advanced Alarm System)

A. Overview

RAAS is a mobile-based emergency system that uses:

• Aadhaar-based authentication

• QR code scanning inside train coaches

• Real-time alerts to loco pilots and train staff

This ensures only verified passengers can raise alarms, with all incidents logged for accountability and analysis.

B. Key Features

• Digital emergency trigger (QR scan)

• Aadhaar-linked identity

• Real-time alerts to authorities

• Secure data storage and backend monitoring

C. System Architecture

1. Passenger Interface: Mobile app with Aadhaar verification, train number input, and QR scanning.

2. Security Layer: Uses JWT authentication to secure APIs.

3. Backend Server (e.g., using Spring Boot): Handles logging, notifications, and data storage.

D. Working Process

• Users register and verify Aadhaar on RAAS app

• Scan coach QR code during emergencies

• Triggered alert reaches:

  • Loco pilot

  • RPF (Railway Protection Force)

  • Ticket checkers (TTEs)

• Alerts include passenger details and compartment info

• Logs stored for accountability and analytics

???? 5. Feasibility and Challenges

A. Technical Feasibility

• Uses proven technologies: Flutter, Spring Boot, QR codes, Aadhaar APIs

• No major innovation hurdles

B. Operational Feasibility

• User-friendly interface

• Requires minimal training

• Can be integrated into existing workflows

C. Economic Feasibility

• Low cost compared to losses from ECP misuse

• Saves time, manpower, fuel, and maintenance costs

D. Legal & Privacy Feasibility

• Aadhaar use is legal with consent and encryption

• Must comply with IT Rules 2011 and Aadhaar Act

E. Challenges & Solutions

Conclusion

The Emergency Chain Pulling (ECP) system in Indian Railways, though originally intended as a safety measure, has over time become a major source of operational inefficiencies, train delays, and safety concerns due to widespread misuse. The review of existing literature, real-world case studies, and survey findings clearly highlight the significant gaps in the current system — particularly the absence of accountability, technological integration, and misuse prevention mechanisms. Through an in-depth analysis, this study proposes the Railway Advanced Alarm System (RAAS) as a practical and innovative alternative to the conventional ECP mechanism. RAAS introduces a controlled, Aadhaar-authenticated, QR-code-based alert system that enables passengers to report emergencies in a secure and verifiable manner. It ensures that emergency stops are executed only after proper validation, significantly reducing false alarms and enhancing overall operational efficiency. The survey results further validate the urgent need for reform, with many participants acknowledging frequent misuse of the ECP system and strongly supporting the adoption of a technology-driven solution like RAAS. In conclusion, the implementation of RAAS can not only modernize emergency management practices in Indian Railways but also contribute significantly to improving train punctuality, operational safety, and passenger accountability. With appropriate infrastructural support and awareness initiatives, RAAS has the potential to transform Indian Railways into a safer, smarter, and more efficient public transport system.

References

[1] \"Rising misuse of alarm chain pulling devices on railways,\" Deccan Chronicle, Nov. 1, 2023. [Online]. Available:https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/021123/rising-misuse-of-alarm-chain-pulling-devices-on-railways.html [2] “At least 12 passengers killed in Western India after jumping onto tracks over train fire alert,” Associated Press, Jan. 22,2025. [Online]. Available:https://apnews.com/article/india-train-passengers-run-over-465c4f85ca533a8ee2752c4d82da3dcd [3] “Chain Pulling, false alarm and obstructed visibility: How Pushpak Express Tragedy Unfolded in Jalgaon,” The Times of India, Jan. 23,2025. [Online]. Available: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/12-dead-15-injured-as-passengers-jump-off-pushpak-exp-hit-by-ktaka-exp-in-jalgaon/articleshow/117467042.cms [4] \"Risking life, pilot crawls beneath train to start trip,\" The Times of India, May. 07, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/risking-life-pilot-crawls-beneath-train-to-start-trip/articleshow/91386618.cms [5] “Railway crew member risks life to restart train after passenger pulls emergency chain,” NDTV News, May. 07, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/railway-crew-member-risks-life-to-restart-train-after-passenger-pulls-emergency-chain-2954114 [6] “Emergency Brake(Train),” Wikipedia, [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_brake_(train)

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Ashutosh Sinha, Dr. Rashmi Shekhar. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.