India, March 12 -- The Pune division of Central Railway has recorded 130 instances of chain-pulling in February this year. The division handles operation of 200 trains carrying over 1.5 lakh passengers daily.

According to officials, last month, additional trains were introduced due to the Kumbh Mela, leading to a surge in passenger count accounting for rise in pulling of alarm chain cases. Of the 130 cases reported in February, 71 individuals were arrested for unnecessarily pulling the emergency chain and disrupting passenger services. Additionally, a fine of Rs.31,600 was collected from individuals at the rate of Rs.1,000 per offence.

The common reasons cited by officials for chain pulling include late arrival of passengers and forgett...