Indian Railways planning stricter check for ticketless travel during festive rush

New Delhi: The railway ministry is planning to crack down on ticketless travellers by rolling out a special ticket-checking drive during the festive season, according to officials. Ticketless travel is one of the most common offences under the Indian Railways.

In a September 20, 2024, notification the railway ministry directed zonal general managers to launch a special drive cracking down on ticketless travel during October 1-15, 2024, and then October 25-November 10, 2024. The ministry also directed the GMs of 17 zones to act against unauthorised travellers. The Indian Railways has been directed to act in a manner compliant with the provisions of the Railway Act, 1989.

Crackdown on cops travelling without ticket

The Indian Railways in a surprise check on the Ghaziabad-Kanpur route discovered numerous policemen travelling without tickets in AC coaches on Express and Mail trains, according to officials. An Indian Railways official said cops threatened them with consequences when fined for ticketless travel.

TTEs or train ticket examiners reportedly find it difficult to deal with cops travelling without a ticket since they force ticketed travellers to share their berth with them. Police officials also refuse to pay fines when caught travelling without a reservation, said TTEs.

Videos with cops lashing out at TTEs, railway staffers and passengers when asked to pay fines have gone viral on social media, said Sanjay Singh, president of the Indian Railways Ticket Checking Staff Organisation. However, they eventually paid the fine. Passengers were positively surprised to see that cops were being fined for ticketless travel.

Indian Railways’ record earnings from fines

Over 1.17 lakh passengers were fined more than Rs 9.14 crore in the Prayagraj Zone for ticketless travel under the NCR zone during June-August 2024, according to a railway spokesperson. Overall, the Indian Railways earned Rs 2,231.74 crore from fines imposed on 361.04 lakh passengers in FY24, it said in response to an RTI application.

North Central Railways Zone officers said they will focus on police officers as well as unauthorised travellers to ensure smoother travel for passengers travelling with a valid ticket.

 Indian Railways is planning yo impose stricter curbs on ticketless travel during festive season. There will be no leniency for such travellers, even if they are cops, according to the Indian Railways.  Biz News Business News – Personal Finance News, Share Market News, BSE/NSE News, Stock Exchange News Today