In a letter dated September 20, the Ministry instructed the General Managers of 17 Zones to initiate this drive from October 1 to 15 and again from October 25 to November 10, emphasizing strict adherence to the Railway Act of 1989.
The Railway Ministry has decided to launch a special ticket-checking drive during the festive seasons to tackle ticketless travel, a move prompted by reports of violations among various travelers, including police personnel. In a letter dated September 20, the Ministry instructed the General Managers of 17 Zones to initiate this drive from October 1 to 15 and again from October 25 to November 10, emphasizing strict adherence to the Railway Act of 1989.
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Targeting Violators During Festive Rush
Officials have noted that, during recent inspections, a significant number of police personnel were found traveling without tickets, particularly in AC coaches of Express and Mail trains. One official recounted a surprise check between Ghaziabad and Kanpur, where hundreds of policemen were caught ticketless. Despite initial resistance, fines were imposed, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to enforcing regulations.
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The ticket-checking staff expressed that dealing with ticketless police can be particularly challenging, as they often misbehave and threaten to file false cases against railway staff. Sanjay Singh, President of the Indian Railway Ticket Checking Staff Organisation, urged police departments to take action against violators, highlighting the negative impact on the image of law enforcement and the inconvenience caused to legitimate passengers.
Ticketless travel has been a persistent problem on Indian Railways. An RTI response revealed that in the financial year 2023-24, officials caught 361.045 lakh passengers traveling without tickets or with improper tickets, resulting in fines totaling Rs 2,231.74 crore.
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With ticketless travel being a prevalent issue, the Ministry’s initiative aims to enhance passenger comfort during the busy festive period. Senior officers will monitor the drives at both divisional and zonal levels, and feedback is expected by November 18, 2024.
