Text of Section 156:
If any passenger or any other person, after being warned by a railway servant to desist, persists in travelling on the roof, step, or footboard of any carriage or on an engine, or in any other part of a train not intended for the use of passengers, he shall be punishable with:
- Imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or
- Fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or
- Both.
Additionally, such a person may be removed from the railway by any railway servant.
Explanation and Analysis of Section 156:
1. Travelling on Non-Passenger Areas:
- This section specifically addresses unsafe or unlawful travel on parts of the train that are not designed for passenger use, such as:
- Roof of the train
- Steps or footboards of carriages
- Engine or any other areas not intended for passengers.
- Warning and Non-Compliance: If a person is warned by a railway servant to stop travelling in these dangerous or restricted areas and refuses to comply, they face legal consequences.
2. Penalties:
- The law imposes punitive measures for such actions:
- Imprisonment: A term that may extend up to three months.
- Fine: Up to five hundred rupees.
- Both: A combination of imprisonment and fine may be imposed depending on the circumstances.
3. Authority of Railway Servants:
- Railway servants have the authority to remove the person from the train if they are found travelling in non-passenger areas after being warned.
4. Safety and Security Considerations:
- This section serves to protect passenger safety. Travelling on the roof, step, footboard, or engine is inherently dangerous, and the law seeks to deter passengers or other persons from engaging in such risky behavior.
Key Points for Consideration:
- Warnings and Enforcement: The law emphasizes that the person must be warned by a railway servant before any penalties are applied. This ensures that passengers are given the opportunity to correct their behavior.
- Deterrence of Dangerous Practices: Travelling on non-designated parts of the train poses significant safety risks, not only to the person involved but also to others. This provision aims to deter such hazardous practices.
- Role of Railway Servants: Railway servants are authorized to remove individuals from the train if they are found violating this rule, thus ensuring that safety measures are enforced.
Conclusion:
Section 156 of the Railways Act, 1989 addresses the critical issue of passengers travelling in dangerous or unauthorized areas of the train, such as the roof or engine. The law imposes penalties for those who ignore warnings from railway servants and continue these risky actions, with the aim of protecting the safety of both passengers and railway operations.
