Ticket checking staff of Central Railway held a protest at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai, highlighting rising work pressure, overcrowding in local trains, and inadequate security during duty.
The protest was organised by the Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh (CRMS), which said that ticket examiners are under severe mental and operational stress due to increasing performance targets, extreme rush in suburban trains and stations, and lack of adequate administrative support.
The union alleged that although the ticket checking department is generating record revenue, staff are being pushed to meet unrealistic targets without considering the ground realities of overcrowded trains and heavy passenger load. It also demanded stronger protection from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), especially during checks in reserved coaches where overcrowding often leads to conflicts.
According to the union, ticket checkers frequently face verbal abuse, physical pushing, and threats of legal action while performing their duties. In several cases, passengers travelling without valid tickets have reportedly filed false cases against staff, with little legal or institutional backing provided by railway authorities.
The union has put forward key demands including:
realistic and achievable performance targets,
stronger security arrangements and full RPF support during duty,
legal assistance for staff facing false cases,
and protection of the rights of genuine reserved passengers.
The issue gained further attention after a recent incident on a Western Railway AC local train between Andheri and Bandra, where ticket checking staff reportedly faced misbehaviour and physical confrontation from passengers without valid tickets. Railway officials later said penalties were collected from those involved.
Also Read: Mumbai: HC Pulls Up Authorities Over Kanjurmarg Pollution