Ticketless train travel: 1.37L penalised 9cr in Jan surge

Bhopal: In a robust enforcement drive, West Central Railway (WCR) detected 1.37 lakh ticket evasion cases across its 3 divisions in January, raking in Rs 8.94 crore in penalties.The haul marked a sharp 20.99% surge from Rs 7.39 crore collected in January 2025, surpassing the Railway Board's target of Rs 8.82 crore by 1.33%, officials said. The intensified checks targeted passengers boarding without valid tickets, carrying excess unbooked luggage, or using fake or irregular documents.Bhopal Division led the effort with 45,000 violations detected and Rs 2.72 crore recovered. The other divisions—Jabalpur and Kota—contributed significantly to the total, as inspectors fanned out across suburban routes and long-distance expresses, where violations peaked.Offenders frequently blamed last-minute platform rushes, overcrowding, or overconfidence during peak hours. Families and migrant workers were often nabbed mid-journey, claiming "forgotten" tickets or clutching outdated passes."These excuses don't hold up," an official noted. Railway authorities issued stern warnings: ticketless travel invites hefty fines, plus luggage charges, and potential detention by the Railway Protection Force (RPF)."Passengers must carry valid tickets to avoid inconvenience and penalties," they urged. To sharpen the crackdown, WCR is collaborating with the Commercial Department and RPF on surprise inspections, promoting digital ticketing through the UTS mobile app, and launching awareness campaigns.Officials emphasised that such measures aim to curb evasion and ensure smoother operations. The drive underscores WCR's zero-tolerance stance amid rising passenger volumes. January figures pale in comparison, signalling a successful escalation in vigilance.Commuters are advised to book tickets in advance, especially during festivals and peak seasons, to steer clear of trouble, officials said.