Central Railway (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 October 2025).
During the FY 2025-26, Central Railway's dedicated ticket checking teams apprehended 23.76 lakh passengers travelling without ticket, with improper or invalid travel authority, as against 22.09 lakh passengers during FY 2024-25 which is an increase of almost 8% .
A record amount of INR 141.27 crores was realised as penalty during FY 2025-26 as against an amount of INR 124.36 crores realised during FY 2024-25 which is an increase of almost 14%.
During the month of October- 2025, Central Railway ticket checking teams have apprehended 3.71 lakh passengers travelling without ticket, with improper or invalid travel authority as against 3 lakh passengers in October 2024 indicating an increase of almost 24%.
A sum of INR 24.81 crores have been realised as penalty from the offenders in the month of October 2025 as against INR 12.74 crores in October 2024, indicating an increase of almost 95%.
Division wise details for the FY 2025-26 (April to October 2025) of passengers caught travelling without ticket / valid ticket and penalty amount realised from them are as follows:
• Bhusaval division INR 51.74 crores from 6.07 lakh cases,
• Mumbai division INR 40.59 crores from 9.63 lakh cases,
• Nagpur division INR 15.62 crores from 2.53 lakh cases
• Pune division INR 15.57 crores from 2.67 lakh cases
• Solapur division INR 6.72 crores from 1.41 lakh cases and
• Headquarters INR 11.03 crores from 1.45 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, as well as Suburban trains in Mumbai and Pune divisions.
In addition Central Railway has introduced a dedicated AC Local Ticket Checking Squad to address issues related to irregular traveling in AC suburban trains on Mumbai Division. The Mumbai Suburban Network of Central Railway runs 1810 services daily including 80 AC local services. This special squad has been deployed to respond promptly to commuter concerns, aided by a dedicated 24/7 WhatsApp complaint number, 7208819987.
The AC Local Ticket Checking Squad recovers an average amount of INR 1.19 lakhs as penalty from approximately 368 cases of passengers travelling without ticket / without valid ticket daily.
Central Railway appeals to 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.
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