Mumbai News: Central Railway Cracks Down On First Class Misuse, Catches 1,115 Travellers Without Tickets; ₹3.09 Lakh Recovered
In a bid to curb misuse of First Class compartments on suburban trains, Mumbai Division of Central Railway launched a special initiative deploying ticket checking staff inside First Class coaches during peak hours. The move aims to address longstanding complaints from genuine commuters regarding irregular travellers occupying these exclusive compartments.
"On the first day of the drive, June 16, a total of nine trains on the Harbour and Trans Harbour lines were covered during the morning rush hour. Over 60 personnel, including Railway Protection Force (RPF) members and ticket checkers, were deployed for the operation. The team detected 106 cases of irregular travel, collecting fines amounting to Rs 33,375" said an official.
The evening peak hour saw eight trains on the Main and Harbour lines monitored, with more than 50 staff members deployed. During this phase, 89 cases were identified, and Rs 29,705 in fines were collected from violators.
According to sources, most cases involved expired Monthly Season Tickets, for which penalties were imposed on the spot as per the rules.
"The initiative also garnered appreciation from several First Class passengers, who actively supported the ticket checking staff by helping identify irregular travellers. This collaboration fostered a positive atmosphere, benefiting both commuters and enforcement personnel" further added official.
"Beyond enforcement, the drive has helped boost passenger confidence and acts as a preventive mechanism against unauthorized travel through continuous monitoring" official stated.
Ticket Checking Drive at Kandivali Station Detects 920 Without Valid Tickets in a Single Day
A major ticket checking drive conducted at Kandivali railway station on Monday uncovered 920 passengers traveling without valid tickets. The authorities collected fines totaling Rs 2,46,245 during the operation.
The drive was carried out in two shifts, from 8 am to 12 pm and 12 pm to 4 pm, covering all entry and exit points at the busy suburban station. A total of 45 staff members, supported by three Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, were deployed to ensure thorough monitoring.
“This operation is part of our ongoing efforts to discourage ticketless travel and ensure fair practices among commuters,” said a railway official involved in the drive.
Ticketless travel not only results in significant revenue loss for the railways but also compromises safety and security measures. Authorities have assured that such ticket checking operations will continue regularly across various suburban sections to deter defaulters and promote disciplined travel.
“Commuters are urged to cooperate with ticket checking staff and always carry valid tickets to avoid penalties,” the official added.
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