Indian Railways has urged passengers to remain alert while travelling and immediately report any suspicious person or activity on railway premises through the national railway helpline number 139.
The advisory, issued on Thursday, May 21, comes after preliminary probes into several recent incidents, including some train fire cases, indicated the possible involvement of anti-social elements. The Railway Protection Force is actively investigating these incidents.
Indian Railways has asked passengers to report suspicious persons or activities on railway premises by calling the helpline number 139. The advisory is relevant for Guwahati passengers using busy stations such as Guwahati Railway Station and Kamakhya, as the Railways strengthen security after recent incidents involving suspected anti-social elements.
For Guwahati, the advisory is significant because the city is one of the busiest railway hubs in the Northeast. Guwahati Railway Station and Kamakhya Railway Station handle large passenger movement daily, including local commuters, long-distance travellers, students, workers and tourists travelling to and from Assam and other northeastern states.
The Ministry of Railways said passengers should support security efforts not only during train journeys but also while waiting at station premises. Any unusual activity, unattended object, suspicious movement or person behaving in a doubtful manner should be reported immediately through the helpline number 139.
The appeal followed a high-level security review meeting held at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and attended by senior officials, field officers from across the country, Ministers of State for Railways V. Somanna and Ravneet Singh Bittu, and the Chairman of the Railway Board.
During the meeting, officials discussed recent incidents targeting railway operations and infrastructure. The Ministry said prompt and proactive action by Railways had helped avert major eventualities in several cases.
The review also focused on strengthening intelligence gathering at the field level, especially through the Railway Protection Force. Railways said modern technology tools such as artificial intelligence, drones and CCTV systems are being used more intensively to improve the safety of trains, passengers, stations and the wider rail network.
For passengers in Guwahati, this means station vigilance may become more visible in the coming days. Security checks, CCTV monitoring, coordination between railway personnel and passenger reporting systems are expected to remain important across major stations and platforms.
The Ministry also discussed expanding CCTV coverage, upgrading camera specifications, improving operational security coordination between Railway Board headquarters and field zones, and strengthening cybersecurity. AI-based surveillance and monitoring systems were also highlighted as part of the security upgrade plan.
Another key area discussed was coordination between the Railway Protection Force and the Government Railway Police. Better information sharing between the two agencies is expected to improve security management across railway stations, trains and railway premises.
Passengers in Guwahati should avoid touching unattended bags, packets or suspicious objects and should not spread unverified rumours. The correct response is to move away safely, inform railway staff or security personnel, and call 139 if immediate reporting is needed.
The next phase will involve stronger field-level intelligence, wider technology use and continued public participation in railway security. For Guwahati’s daily and long-distance passengers, the advisory matters because early reporting can help prevent risks before they escalate.
What Guwahati Passengers Should Do
| Situation | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Suspicious person at station | Inform RPF, railway staff or call 139 |
| Unattended bag or object | Do not touch it; move away and report |
| Suspicious activity inside train | Alert railway staff or call 139 |
| Fire, smoke or emergency | Report immediately and follow official instructions |
| Rumours or unverified alerts | Avoid sharing; rely on official information |
Key Security Measures Discussed
| Area | Railway Ministry Focus |
|---|---|
| Passenger reporting | Encourage use of helpline 139 |
| Intelligence gathering | Strengthen field-level reporting |
| Technology | Use AI, drones and CCTV |
| Station security | Expand CCTV coverage and monitoring |
| Cyber security | Strengthen railway security systems |
| Coordination | Improve RPF and GRP information sharing |
Frequently Asked Questions
What number should passengers call to report suspicious activity on trains?
Passengers should call the Railway helpline number 139 to report suspicious activity, suspicious persons or safety concerns on railway premises or during train journeys.
Why has Indian Railways issued this advisory?
Indian Railways issued the advisory after preliminary investigations into several recent incidents, including some train fire cases, indicated possible involvement of anti-social elements.
Is this advisory relevant for Guwahati passengers?
Yes. The advisory is relevant for passengers using Guwahati Railway Station, Kamakhya Railway Station and other railway premises in and around the city.
What should passengers do if they see an unattended bag at a railway station?
Passengers should not touch the bag or object. They should move away safely and immediately inform railway staff, RPF personnel or call helpline 139.