Indian Railways has reported a significant number of ticketless passengers during the financial year 2023-24. According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, approximately 2.16 crore passengers were caught traveling without tickets. This resulted in the collection of around Rs 562.40 crore in excess charges from these offenders.
Special Ticket Checking Campaigns
To tackle the issue of ticketless travel, Indian Railways conducted extensive ticket-checking drives throughout the year. These campaigns were organized by various zonal railways based on local conditions and directives from the Ministry of Railways. Minister Vaishnaw emphasized that ticket checking is an ongoing exercise to ensure compliance and generate revenue.
While the ministry does not maintain state-wise or station-wise data of ticketless travelers, the massive collection of fines reflects the large-scale efforts undertaken by railway authorities.
Financial Impact and Revenue Generation
The Rs 562.40 crore collected from ticketless passengers serves as a significant contribution to the railway’s non-fare revenue. Indian Railways has been focusing on increasing revenue through strict enforcement and regular inspections. This initiative not only discourages fare evasion but also reinforces the importance of adhering to travel regulations.
Continuous Monitoring and Prevention
Indian Railways remains committed to minimizing ticketless travel. Along with periodic special campaigns, ticket examiners are deployed across major railway stations and onboard trains. The use of digital ticketing solutions, including the UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) mobile app, further facilitates lawful ticket purchases, reducing the likelihood of fare evasion.
Passengers are encouraged to cooperate with railway authorities and purchase valid tickets to ensure a fair and sustainable transportation system.
