Konkan Railway Ramps Up Enforcement Against Unauthorised Travel
In a significant move to curb ticketless travel, the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) has intensified its enforcement operations across its network. The railway authority conducted an impressive over 1,000 special ticket-checking drives during the month of January alone, marking a substantial escalation in its ongoing campaign.
Massive Detection of Ticketless Travel Cases
These coordinated efforts yielded substantial results, with KRCL detecting a staggering 44,736 cases of ticketless and irregular travel throughout January. From these violations, the corporation managed to collect over Rs 2.5 crore in combined fares and penalties from offenders who were traveling without proper authorization.
The special checking drives were executed in close coordination with Railway Protection Force personnel, who worked diligently across both trains and stations throughout the extensive Konkan Railway network. This comprehensive approach ensured that enforcement covered all possible points where unauthorized travel might occur.
Long-Term Campaign Against Fare Evasion
This January enforcement blitz is part of a broader, sustained initiative that KRCL has been implementing. Since launching this comprehensive campaign, the railway corporation has carried out 9,495 special checking drives cumulatively through January 2026.
The long-term results have been even more remarkable, with KRCL identifying over 4.13 lakh cases of unauthorised travel since the initiative began. From these detections, the corporation has recovered nearly Rs 23 crore in total dues and penalties, representing significant recovered revenue that would otherwise have been lost to fare evasion.
Commitment to Legitimate Passengers
A Konkan Railway spokesperson emphasized that "the intensified enforcement reflects KRCL's commitment to protecting revenue while ensuring genuine ticket-holders are not inconvenienced by overcrowding from fare evaders." The spokesperson further explained that the drives specifically target both onboard trains and station premises across the entire network, creating a comprehensive enforcement net.
The primary objective behind these rigorous checking operations is twofold: to safeguard railway revenue that is essential for maintaining and improving services, and to ensure that legitimate passengers who purchase tickets can enjoy safe and comfortable journeys without dealing with overcrowded coaches caused by unauthorized travelers.
Upcoming Intensive Checking Operations
Looking ahead, KRCL has announced that February 26 will see particularly intensive checking operations throughout its entire route network. The railway corporation is urging all passengers to ensure they carry valid tickets for their journeys to avoid penalties and potential disruption to their travel plans.
This proactive announcement serves as both a warning to potential fare evaders and a reminder to all passengers about the importance of traveling with proper authorization. The February 26 operations are expected to involve heightened surveillance and checking across all trains and stations operated by Konkan Railway.
The sustained enforcement campaign represents a strategic approach by KRCL to address the persistent challenge of ticketless travel, which has long plagued Indian railways. By combining regular checks with periodic intensive operations, the corporation aims to create a deterrent effect while simultaneously recovering substantial revenue that can be reinvested into improving passenger services and infrastructure.
