Central Railway acts tough against unauthorised and ticketless travellers- Penalty of INR 164.91 crores recovered from 27.51 Lakh cases of unauthorised and ticketless travellers during FY 2025-26.
CR, in its unwavering commitment to provide a safe, smooth and comfortable travel experience to its valued passengers, has stepped up its efforts to curb unauthorised and ticketless travel across its network.
Through intensified and systematic ticket checking drives, Central Railway has achieved significant results during the financial year 2025-26 (April to November 2025).
During the FY 2025-26, Central Railway's dedicated ticket checking teams apprehended 27.51 lakh passengers travelling without ticket, with improper or invalid travel authority, as against 25.08 lakh passengers during FY 2024-25 which is an increase of almost 10% .
A record amount of INR 64.91 crores was realised as penalty during FY 2025-26 as against an amount of INR 138.44 crores realised during FY 2024-25 which is an increase of more than 19 per cent.
During the month of November 2025, Central Railway ticket checking teams have apprehended 3.74 lakh passengers travelling without ticket, with improper or invalid travel authority as against 2.98 lakh passengers in November- 2024 indicating an increase of more than 25 per cent.
A sum of INR 23.63 crores have been realised as penalty from the offenders in the month of November 2025 as against INR 14.08 crores in November 2024, indicating an increase of almost 68 per cent.
Division wise details of passengers caught travelling without ticket / valid ticket and penalty amount realised from them are as follows:
• Bhusaval division Rs.59.25 crores from 6.94 lakh cases,
• Mumbai division Rs.48.79 crores from 11.34 lakh cases,
• Pune division Rs.18.40 crores from 3.05 lakh cases
• Nagpur division Rs.18.13 crores from 2.92 lakh cases
• Solapur division Rs.7.50 crores from 1.60 lakh cases and
• Headquarters Rs.12.82 crores from 1.66 lakh cases
Central Railway adopts a multi-pronged strategy to detect unauthorised travel which includes 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 in all divisions as well as Suburban trains in Mumbai and Pune divisions.
Central Railway appeals to passengers to please travel with valid tickets issued by authorised vendors or from railway station booking counters or through ATVM or through website http://www.irctc.co.in.
Passengers can also download the UTS app on their mobile phones and book tickets through Mobile UTS app.
Central Railway also appeals to passengers to NOT USE fraudulent means to generate / obtain fake tickets and travel on the same. The Offence is punishable under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act 2023 with fine and imprisonment upto 7 years or both.
The Railway reiterates its zero-tolerance policy towards ticketless travel and remains committed to ensuring that passengers enjoy a comfortable and dignified journey.
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