Northeast Frontier Railway reports 2,073 daily instances of ticketless travel
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Synopsis
On January 17, the Northeast Frontier Railway revealed that they identified an average of 2,073 cases of ticketless travel daily last year. This initiative aims to enhance travel comfort for legitimate passengers while generating substantial revenue through fines and penalties.
Key Takeaways
- NFR detected an average of 2,073 ticketless travel cases daily.
- Revenue of Rs 17.49 lakh was collected daily through penalties.
- Regular inspections are conducted to ensure passenger comfort.
- 5,70,141 cases were identified between April and December 2024.
- Rs 48.11 crore was earned through fare collection and penalties.
Guwahati, Jan 17 (NationPress) The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), which serves the northeastern states, seven districts of West Bengal, and five districts of North Bihar, uncovered an average of 2,073 cases daily last year related to ticketless or irregular travel, according to officials on Friday.
A senior NFR official reported that through fare collection and penalties imposed on unauthorized passengers, approximately Rs 17.49 lakh were generated each day last year.
The official stated that ticket checkers, along with the Railway Protection Force, increased their vigilance for ticketless or irregular travel in trains and at railway stations.
“The NFR regularly conducts thorough ticket-checking operations to promote a smooth and enjoyable travel experience for all legitimate passengers. These initiatives aim to reduce the incidence of ticketless and irregular travel, which disrupts the comfort of genuine travelers,” the official explained.
At times, executive magistrates accompany ticket-checking efforts on trains.
According to the official, between April and December 2024, a total of 5,70,141 cases of ticketless or irregular travel were identified. “These checks and operations resulted in revenue earnings of around Rs 48.11 crore over nine months last year through fare collection and penalties on unauthorized travelers,” the official stated.
During the same timeframe (April to December 2024), the NFR executed eight surprise ticket-checking operations against unauthorized travelers with the help of railway magistrates. Consequently, 448 individuals were prosecuted, with 380 found in violation of the Railways Act.
They faced fines accordingly, accumulating approximately Rs 2.13 lakh during these operations over nine months. The fines encompassed fares, penalty charges, and government levies. Officials noted that passengers without valid tickets or those traveling beyond their authorized distance may incur excess charges and fares. If passengers refuse to pay upon demand, they might be prosecuted under relevant sections of the Railways Act, 1989.
The NFR has urged the public to travel with proper and valid tickets and carry valid identification to avoid inconvenience. Passengers can now purchase unreserved tickets from various parts of the country via the Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) mobile application on their smartphones. Over 80 percent of passengers in the NFR zone book railway tickets online independently, enhancing the paperless process.
