Indian Railways : Central Railway's Strict Action Against Ticketless Passengers, 203 Crore Fines Collected in 10 Months

Central Railway has taken major action against ticketless passengers, collecting a fine of 203.76 crore rupees in the past ten months. Special ticket checking teams caught 34.34 lakh passengers traveling without tickets from April 2025 to January 2026. This action has significantly increased the railway administration's revenue.

Special emphasis was given to the ticket checking campaign in Mumbai and other divisions. Inspection teams were deployed in local as well as long-distance trains during peak hours. During this period, 9.49 lakh passengers were caught traveling without tickets on the Mumbai suburban route, and a fine of 27.39 crore rupees was collected from them.

According to railway officials, the number of ticketless passengers caught this year is 9.8 percent higher compared to last year. During the same period last year, 31.28 lakh passengers were caught, and a fine of 167.61 crore rupees was collected from them. Considering the increased number this year, it is clear that the railway administration has intensified the inspections.

Notably, in the month of January 2026, action was taken against 3.58 lakh passengers. Surprise inspection campaigns were conducted at railway stations and in trains. It was revealed that some passengers traveled without tickets. Immediate punitive action was taken against those violating the rules. The railway administration has clarified that traveling without a ticket significantly impacts railway revenue. Therefore, continuous campaigns will be conducted against such passengers. Ticket inspection teams have been strengthened, and inspections are being made more effective with the help of technology.

Meanwhile, this action has been welcomed by passengers who regularly purchase tickets. Many have expressed the opinion that strict action is necessary to prevent injustice to passengers who purchase tickets honestly and to improve the quality of railway services. Overall, it is expected that the strict stance taken by Central Railway to curb ticketless travel will deter such incidents in the future. Passengers are urged to travel by adhering to the rules, as appealed by the railway.