Special drive by ER to check touts

Kolkata: The Indian Railways have launched Operation Thunder across the country against the touts who sell railway tickets at a premium making an illegal profit. They buy mass tickets shrinking the number of tickets genuine passengers have access to.

The drive was launched by Arun Kumar, DG RPF with the help of the technical staffs and IT cell of the Indian Railways. All zonal railways have been instructed to conduct special drives. As many as 276 places were raided in 141 cities all over the country. Altogether 387 touts were arrested and 22, 253 tickets valued at Rs 32,99,093 were seized. Preliminary investigation revealed that the touts had sold the tickets at Rs 3,24,12, 706. All suspected user Ids have been black-listed and the tickets are being deactivated.

Illegal software ANMS/ Red Mirchi has been seized from Kota, Rajasthan. Three-hundred-and-seventy-five cases have been registered against the arrested persons.

The Indian Railways have decided to intensify the raids.

This is the peak season for railway passengers due to summer vacation and the season for marriages in north India. The touts utilise the situation and misuse the facility of e-ticketing. They sell the tickets at a premium making huge profits. The touts have their agents in all the metropolitan cities.