The Sonepur division of the East Central Railway (ECR) has amassed Rs 300 million in fines from passengers traveling without tickets during its ongoing ticket-checking drive for the current fiscal year (2024-25). Since the drive began on April 1, 2024, approximately 4.60 lakh passengers have been penalised, according to Sonepur Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Vivek Bhushan Sood.
In a notable instance on December 10, the division fined 3,578 passengers in a single day, collecting Rs 2.342 million in penalties. The crackdown is part of the railway's broader initiative to curb fare evasion and enforce compliance with travel regulations, especially during peak travel seasons, said Sood.
The campaign aims not only to generate revenue but also to promote discipline among passengers. The division's consistent efforts throughout the fiscal year have significantly contributed to achieving its financial goals by targeting fare evaders and enhancing accountability.
Sonepur's Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Raushan Kumar, highlighted the exceptional performance of two Train Ticket Examiners (TTEs) in the drive. Hemlata Kumari from Barauni was recognized as the top performer among women TTEs, while Vishwajit Kumar from Khagaria led among men, generating the highest revenue for the railways through the initiative.
(ET)
