Jammu Railway Division Collects ₹32 Lakh fine from 2,500 Ticketless Passengers in 10 Days
JAMMU, October 25: The Jammu Railway Division has intensified its campaign against ticketless travel, imposing fines worth ₹32 lakh on 2,500 passengers caught without valid tickets over the past 10 days, a senior railway official said on Saturday.
The massive recovery drive comes amid the festive travel rush when thousands of passengers use trains to visit their hometowns for Diwali, Bhai Dooj, and Chhath. To ensure passenger convenience and discourage illegal travel, railway authorities launched a special ticket-checking campaign across all major routes and stations within the division.
According to Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM) Uchit Singhal, the inspection teams carried out daily surprise checks in express and passenger trains, as well as at key stations such as Jammu Tawi, Udhampur, Pathankot, and Katra. “Our teams have been conducting ticket checking drives on a daily basis. The goal is to ensure that genuine passengers travel comfortably while curbing unauthorized travel that causes inconvenience to others,” he said.
On October 24 alone, penalties worth over ₹7 lakh were collected from nearly 1,200 ticketless passengers, marking one of the most successful single-day recoveries in the division’s recent record.
“Over the last ten days, ₹32 lakh have been recovered from 2,500 ticketless travellers. This has not only improved our revenue but also enhanced the overall passenger experience by reducing overcrowding,” Singhal stated.
The railway official further noted that despite the division’s limited ticketing and inspection staff, the performance has been “remarkably efficient and disciplined.” He attributed the success to the coordinated efforts of ticket examiners, travelling ticket inspectors (TTIs), and enforcement teams deployed across multiple sections.
The drives, he said, were also aimed at identifying repeat offenders and preventing misuse of unreserved compartments. “Our message is clear, travelling without a valid ticket or pass is an offence under the Indian Railways Act and will attract strict penalties,” he added.
Railway officials emphasized that such drives are not just about fines but part of a broader initiative to instill travel discipline among passengers and ensure the financial health of the railways. The Jammu Division has also introduced real-time monitoring tools and surveillance mechanisms to track irregular travel patterns and detect fake ticket activities.
Officials said the division plans to continue these intensive checks through the festival period and beyond, with additional squads being deployed to manage the surge in passenger volume. “The railway administration remains committed to providing safe, comfortable, and lawful travel for all,” Singhal said.
The Jammu Division, which caters to a significant portion of pilgrim and tourist traffic heading to Vaishno Devi, Katra, and the Kashmir Valley, has been working on upgrading ticketing facilities, expanding counter access, and promoting digital ticketing options to streamline travel during high-demand periods.
Railway authorities have urged passengers to cooperate with ticket inspectors, travel with valid tickets, and report any unauthorized travel activity to the nearest railway official.
