ER's ticket checking drive yields over Rs 37 crore

Kolkata: Eastern Railway's ticket checking drive on free trippers has yielded a record amount of Rs 37.13 crore in fine within six months.

"Eastern Railway has given more thrust on ticket checking drive to curb ticket-less travelling or travelling without proper travelling authority and/or with un-booked luggage. Special drives have been intensified in all areas under the jurisdiction of Eastern Railway. As a result, 10.35 lakh persons were apprehended for travelling without ticket or with improper ticket during April to October, 2019, with a corresponding earning of Rs 37.13 crore (approximately) through fines," said an official of Eastern Railway.

He reiterated that 110 magisterial checks were conducted during the period, wherein 1,005 persons were prosecuted. This apart, special ticket checking drive had been conducted in 13,119 trains from April to October, 2019, wherein 92,575 persons were detected for travelling without or with improper ticket.

"Eastern Railway appeals to all users to travel with proper ticket for a peaceful journey with dignity," pointed out the official. During 2018–19, 281 magisterial checks had been conducted, from which 3,174 persons were prosecuted, 1,405 persons were fined and a sum of Rs 9.07 lakh was realised.

Altogether 949 persons were sent to jail for failing to pay the Railway dues. A drive involving 903 stations was also conducted, wherein about 2.63 lakh passengers were detected for travelling without ticket or improper ticket and carrying un-booked luggage, in which Rs 5.41 crore was realised from the offenders.