Railway OHE shock at Bhubaneswar: ECoR warns against selfies on trains
Synopsis
A Rajasthan youth studying in Bhubaneswar was seriously injured after touching a high-voltage Overhead Electric wire while climbing a stationary wagon for a selfie at Mancheswar Railway Station. East Coast Railway has renewed its warning: the OHE system can electrocute without direct contact — and the Railways Act can follow.
Key Takeaways
A male youth was injured at Mancheswar Railway Station, Bhubaneswar , on Sunday after coming into contact with the high-voltage OHE system while attempting a selfie.
The youth reportedly climbed a stationary loaded wagon on Railway Track No.
07 when the incident occurred.
He was shifted by ambulance to the Railway Hospital and later referred to a government hospital; he is reported to be conscious.
The youth reportedly hails from Rajasthan and studies at a private engineering college in Bhubaneswar.
East Coast Railway (ECoR) has issued a strict advisory against climbing railway structures for selfies, photography, or social media content.
Such acts are punishable under the Railways Act ; OHE wires can cause fatal electric arcing even without direct contact.
East Coast Railway (ECoR) on Sunday, 25 May issued a stern public advisory urging people — especially youth — to stop climbing railway wagons, poles, coaches, or any railway structure for selfies, photography, videography, or social media content, after a young man was seriously injured at Mancheswar Railway Station in Bhubaneswar following contact with the high-voltage Overhead Electric (OHE) system.
What Happened at Mancheswar Station
According to an official press statement from ECoR, the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday. A male youth reportedly climbed onto a stationary loaded wagon on Railway Track No. 07 at Mancheswar station. While doing so, he came into contact with the high-voltage OHE system, fell beside the track, and sustained injuries.
On-duty Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel at the spot immediately attended to the injured youth and shifted him to the Railway Hospital by ambulance for initial treatment. Doctors there subsequently referred him to a government hospital after administering preliminary care. The injured person is reported to be conscious.
Who the Injured Youth Is
According to sources, the youth reportedly hails from Rajasthan and is currently enrolled at a private engineering college in Bhubaneswar. His identity has not been officially confirmed in the ECoR statement.
The Danger of OHE Systems
ECoR underscored a critical safety point: the OHE system used for train operations carries extremely high-voltage electricity and can cause severe injuries or prove fatal even without direct physical contact. Merely coming dangerously close to an OHE wire can trigger electric arcing, resulting in serious accidents. This incident is a stark reminder of that risk.
Railways' Warning and Legal Consequences
'East Coast Railway has once again appealed to passengers and the general public, particularly youths, to strictly avoid climbing railway wagons, poles, coaches or any railway structure for selfies, photography, videography or social media content creation,' the official advisory stated.
The railways noted that it continuously conducts awareness campaigns through station announcements, posters, counselling, public advisories, and social media outreach. It also warned that such dangerous acts invite legal action under relevant provisions of the Railways Act. Railway tracks and electrical installations are classified as highly sensitive operational zones, and public cooperation is essential to prevent such incidents, the advisory added.
Notably, this is not the first such warning from Indian Railways — similar advisories have been issued repeatedly across zones as the trend of creating social media content on railway premises has grown. The Bhubaneswar incident brings renewed urgency to those appeals.
Point of View
Posters, and announcements have not moved the needle, because the deterrent is perceived as abstract until someone gets hurt. The Railways Act provisions exist but are rarely invoked proactively. If ECoR and other zones are serious, the response needs to shift from reactive press releases to visible enforcement at stations where such incidents cluster — before the next reel costs someone their life.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Mancheswar Railway Station in Bhubaneswar?
A male youth was seriously injured on Sunday after climbing a stationary loaded wagon on Railway Track No. 07 and coming into contact with the high-voltage Overhead Electric (OHE) system. He fell beside the track, was attended to by RPF personnel, and was taken to the Railway Hospital before being referred to a government hospital.
Why is the OHE system so dangerous?
The Overhead Electric (OHE) system carries extremely high-voltage electricity used to power train operations. It can cause severe injury or death even without direct physical contact — simply coming too close can trigger electric arcing, making it lethal for anyone who climbs railway structures near it.
Who issued the warning and what does it say?
East Coast Railway (ECoR) issued an official advisory urging passengers and the general public, especially youth, to strictly avoid climbing railway wagons, poles, coaches, or any railway structure for selfies, photography, videography, or social media content creation.
What legal action can be taken for such acts?
Climbing railway structures or trespassing on railway premises for selfies or content creation invites legal action under relevant provisions of the Railways Act. Indian Railways classifies tracks and electrical installations as highly sensitive operational zones.
Who is the injured youth?
According to sources, the injured youth reportedly hails from Rajasthan and is studying at a private engineering college in Bhubaneswar. His identity has not been officially confirmed by ECoR. He is reported to be conscious after receiving treatment.
