ER earns crores from raids on ticket-less travellers

Kolkata: Eastern Railway ticket checking drive on free trippers yielded a record of Rs 4,47,69,682 in 20 days.

"Eastern Railway has given more thrust on ticket checking drive to curb ticket-less travelling as well as travelling without proper travel authority and /or with unbooked luggage. Special drives have been intensified all over Eastern Railway's jurisdiction," said an official of Eastern Railway.

He reiterated that the detection of cases is 24.61 percent higher and the earnings from ticket checking has gone up by 43.12 percent than that of the corresponding period of previous year.

"As a result of such intensive ticket checking drive in ER's jurisdiction during the period from November 1 to November 20, altogether 1,56,697 persons were detected for travelling without or with improper ticket as well as carrying unbooked luggage. An amount of Rs 4, 47, 69, 682 was realized from those offenders as fare and fine," the official said.

During the year 2018–19, altogether 281 magisterial checks had been conducted of which 3,174 persons were prosecuted, 1,405 persons were fined and a sum of Rs. 9.07 lakh were realised.

"Eastern Railway appeals to all users to travel with proper ticket for a peaceful journey with dignity," the official said.