What's the rules about railway photography in India?

[Mike McCormac]

Hi

I'm off to India on a business trip in a few weeks and may be able to grab some time for some railway photography.

Has anybody any experiences in India (and especially around Delhi) that might be helpful?

Thank you

Mike

 

[Old Timer]

The rules are pretty prescriptive I am afraid.

Station, marshalling yards, depots, and other operational facilities are regarded as having military importance. It is therefore imperative that you have a photographic permit, especially in these times of heightened security threat within India.

You can get this by applying to :
The Joint Director of Public Relations,
Railway Board,
Rail Bhavan,
New Delhi-110001,
India.

It really is NOT recommended that you try to get photos without.

Please see my PM.

 

[LouJ]

My views are that lineside photography in rural areas should present no problems. However care needs to be taken in urban areas especially at major junctions, freight yards and locos sheds.

I have had no problems taking pictures in recent years but have been subtle and only used still cameras. Setting up a tripod without a permit might not be a wise thing to do!

You will see plenty of tourists taking pictures and very few get challenged - so just take care and don't hang around for too long in one place and you should be OK without a permit.

However the permit allows much more to be achieved so a quick call at the office on arrival might reap benefits.

Good luck and enjoy. Indian Railways are wonderful.

 

[6S83]

Pretty much what Lou said. I've been countless times and never had much of a problem, but I'm always careful and keep an eye out for RPF officers. I've been told to stop once, played the innocent tourist and everything was fine.
Applying for a permit will bring you into contact with Indian bureaucracy and will no doubt be a 'stamped in triplicate' inefficient and baffling farce, also you have specify exactly where you want to photograph.