Central Railway (CR), in its commitment to ensure safe, smooth and dignified travel, has intensified action against unauthorised and ticketless travel across its network. The increase in minimum penalty coupled with intensified ticket checking drives has yielded significant results during the 1st Quarter of FY 2026-27.
Record action and earnings in 1st Quarter of FY 2026-27
During the period April to June 2026, Central Railway’s dedicated ticket checking teams apprehended 12.86 lakh passengers travelling without ticket, with improper or invalid travel authority, and realised a record penalty amount of ₹101.21 crores.
This is against 11.34 lakh cases and penalty of ₹70.72 crores registered during the corresponding period last year, indicating an increase of almost 14% in the number of cases and an incredible increase of 43% in earnings.
Recovery of fines & Number of cases
Division-wise performance during the period April to June 2026:
Mumbai division: ₹40.60 crores from 6.02 lakh cases
Bhusawal division: ₹28.06 crores from 2.66 lakh cases
Pune division: ₹11.11 crores from 1.29 lakh cases
Nagpur division: ₹10.91 crores from 1.54 lakh cases
Solapur division: ₹4.10 crores from 0.70 lakh cases
Headquarters: ₹6.43 crores from 0.65 lakh cases
June 2026 Collection
CR ticket checking teams apprehended 3.55 lakh passengers travelling without ticket/valid ticket as against 3.54 lakh in June 2025. A sum of ₹25.85 crores was realised as penalty in June 2026 as against ₹20.85 crores in June 2025, indicating an increase of almost 24%.
Enhanced Penalty to Deter Violations
Travelling without a valid ticket is an offence under the Railways Act and attracts penal action. Ticketless travel also impacts railway revenue, which is utilised for improving passenger amenities, safety and infrastructure
In a major step to deter passengers from travelling without valid tickets and to ensure greater compliance with ticketing rules, the Ministry of Railways enhanced the minimum penalty for ticketless travel from ₹250 to ₹500.
Following the revision, Central Railway has continued intensive ticket checking drives across the network adopting a multi-pronged strategy including station checks, ambush checks, fortress checks, intensive checks, and mega ticket checking drives. These operations are conducted across Mail/Express trains, Passenger trains, Special trains, as well as Suburban trains in Mumbai and Pune divisions.
Appeal to passengers
Central Railway appeals to all passengers to travel with dignity and responsibility by purchasing proper and valid tickets to avoid inconvenience and penalties. The Railway reiterates its zero-tolerance policy towards ticketless travel and remains committed to ensuring that passengers enjoy a comfortable and dignified journey.