Massive Drop in Ticketless Travel Cases Recorded by Central Railway
In a significant development for Mumbai's railway network, the Central Railway's Mumbai Division has reported a dramatic decline in ticketless and irregular travel cases. According to official data released on Sunday, the division detected only 9.63 lakh cases between April and October this financial year, representing less than half of the 22.09 lakh cases recorded during the same period last year.
This remarkable over 50 percent reduction in violations comes despite the railway authorities intensifying their checking efforts across Mail/Express trains and suburban services, including the increasingly popular AC local trains.
Financial Impact and Recovery Statistics
The financial implications of this decline are substantial. During the April-October period last year, Central Railway collected a staggering ₹124.36 crore in penalties from ticketless travelers. This year, however, the recovery amount dropped significantly to ₹40.59 crore collected from the 9.63 lakh offenders.
Breaking down the current year's data reveals interesting patterns in violation distribution:
- 6.98 lakh cases detected in second-class compartments (₹33.69 crore in fines)
- 91,837 cases recorded in first-class compartments
- 71,045 cases identified in AC local trains
The statistics clearly indicate that second-class suburban coaches continue to account for the bulk of violations, representing approximately 72% of all detected cases.
October Performance and Special Initiatives
The month of October alone saw Mumbai Division recording 1.34 lakh ticketless and irregular travel cases, resulting in collection of ₹6.16 crore in fines. Notably, over one lakh of these cases originated from second-class coaches, highlighting the persistent challenge in this segment.
To address the specific issue of violations in AC suburban trains, Central Railway has implemented innovative measures. The administration has deployed a dedicated AC Local Ticket Checking Squad equipped with a 24/7 WhatsApp complaint number (7208819987). This specialized team has been remarkably effective, detecting an average of 368 offenders daily and recovering approximately ₹1.19 lakh per day in penalties.
Official Statement and Future Outlook
Railway officials attribute this positive trend to sustained enforcement efforts and stricter monitoring in high-traffic areas. The consistent checking drives and enhanced surveillance systems appear to be yielding significant results in discouraging ticketless travel.
Dr. Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway, emphasized the administration's stance, stating: "Central Railway maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards ticketless travel. We appeal to passengers to travel with dignity and responsibility by purchasing valid tickets and avoiding inconvenience and penalties."
The substantial decline in ticketless travel cases represents a major achievement for Central Railway's Mumbai Division, indicating improved compliance among passengers and more effective enforcement strategies. As the railway administration continues its rigorous checking campaigns, these positive trends are expected to continue, potentially leading to further reductions in revenue loss due to ticketless travel.
