WR recovered ₹ 1.04 cr as penalty in intensive checking drives

Western Railway’s Mumbai Division conducted various drives to check & deter unauthorized passengers travelling in trains. More than 25,900 cases were detected in suburban as well as non-suburban sections by conducting such stringent checking drives and ₹.1.04 crores were collected as fine.

According to a press release issued by Sumit Thakur – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, to ensure that no unauthorized passengers can travel in trains, Mumbai Division of Western Railway conducted Regular, Fortress, Intensive & Officer Special ticket checking drives. These special checks were conducted by team of senior officers and ticket checking staffs from May, 2020 to 26th November 2020.

A total of 25,982 cases were detected and an amount of ₹. 1.04 crore was collected as penalty. Out of these 25,982 cases, 19,172 cases were detected in suburban section wherein penalty / fines to the tune of Rs.55 lakhs were recovered and 6810 cases were detected in non- suburban section recovering fine of Rs. 49 lakhs.

Thakur stated that these 25,982 cases include 24,710 cases in Regular ticket checking drives and 1,272 cases were detected in Intensive, Fortress and Special ticket checking drives. Western Railway currently runs 1201 Special Suburban services for essential services staff as well as other categories of public including women passengers during stipulated timings of non peak hours, as notified by Government of Maharashtra. However, Western Rly has also detected several cases of fake ID card holders, who have been travelling in the Special Suburban services.

Western Railway appeals general public not to rush to stations except for categories as identified by the State Government and as approved by Ministry of Railways. Also, all permitted categories of passengers to travel with proper and valid journey tickets & should carry valid Identity cards in order to avoid inconvenience and always travel with mask. They also request travellers to follow proper medical and social protocols as mandated for COVID-19.