03 June,2026 06:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
In May 2026 alone, railway authorities recovered Rs 14 crore in penalties from 2.02 lakh ticketless travellers. Representational Pic/File
Central Railway's Mumbai Division has recovered Rs 30.13 crore in penalties from 4.30 lakh cases of ticketless travel during April and May 2026, marking a significant increase compared with the same period last year.
According to Central Railway, ticket checking staff detected 4.30 lakh cases of ticketless travel during the first two months of the 2026-27 financial year. The division had recovered Rs 12.02 crore from 2.75 lakh cases during the corresponding period in 2025.
The latest figures show an increase of more than 150 per cent in earnings and over 56 per cent in the number of cases detected.
In May 2026 alone, railway authorities recovered Rs 14 crore in penalties from 2.02 lakh ticketless travellers.
In May 2025, the division had collected Rs 5.95 crore from 1.30 lakh cases. This represents a rise of more than 135 per cent in earnings and over 56 per cent in the number of offenders detected, an official statement.
Central Railway said that frequent ticket checking drives in Mail and Express trains, suburban services and station premises played a major role in increasing enforcement.
Between April and May 2026, authorities detected 3.04 lakh cases in Mail and Express sleeper and general coaches as well as suburban second-class coaches. During the same period last year, 2.02 lakh cases were recorded.
Penalties collected from these categories reached Rs 24.77 crore, compared with Rs 10.12 crore during the corresponding period in 2025, an increase of nearly 145 per cent.
In May 2026 alone, officials recovered Rs 11.71 crore from 1.46 lakh cases, compared with Rs 5.09 crore from 97,046 cases last year.
Special drives conducted in AC local trains also produced encouraging results.
A total of 25,924 cases of irregular travel were detected in AC locals during April and May 2026, compared with 21,081 cases during the same period last year, an increase of nearly 23 per cent.
Penalty collections from Mumbai AC local train passengers reached Rs 80.97 lakh, up from Rs 68.53 lakh in 2025.
In May 2026, railway authorities recovered Rs 41.31 lakh from 13,226 cases, compared with Rs 34.15 lakh from 10,661 cases in May 2025.
Central Railway also reported action against passengers travelling in first-class coaches without valid tickets, fare difference cases and unbooked luggage violations.
During April and May 2026:
- First-class coach violations: 23,447 cases, Rs 74.61 lakh recovered.
- Fare difference cases in Mail and Express trains: 58,748 cases, Rs 3.61 crore recovered.
- Unbooked luggage cases: 17,000 cases, Rs 19.45 lakh recovered.
Central Railway stated that regular ticket checking drives help improve passenger comfort, safety and travel discipline.
The railway administration said these inspections not only identify and penalise offenders but also discourage ticketless travel.
The Central Railway has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards ticketless travel and appealed to passengers to purchase valid tickets before commencing their journey.
The railway urged commuters to travel responsibly and with dignity, ensuring a comfortable journey for all passengers.
