12 hrs ago
Central Railway Intensifies Ticket Checks Throughout October
Central Railway will check train tickets more strictly during October 2026.
The special drive will run from October 1 through October 31.
People using discounts or special reservation quotas must carry the original documents that prove they qualify.
On a ticket for several people, at least one listed passenger must carry the required original identity proof.
If the proof is missing, the whole group may be treated as travelling without a valid ticket.
People using an E-Pass or PTO must also carry their original documents and exchange the pass for the correct travel authority.
Staff will check unreserved tickets and may use the TTE App to verify them.
The checks are intended to stop fraud, misuse and lost railway revenue.
The minimum penalty for travelling without a valid ticket increased from Rs 250 to Rs 500 on June 20, 2026.
Central Railway will conduct an intensive ticket-checking drive from October 1 to 31, 2026.
Passengers using concession fares or specified reservation quotas must carry prescribed original identity or eligibility documents.
For multi-passenger reservations, at least one listed passenger must carry the required original proof, or the entire group may face action.
E-Pass and PTO users must carry original documents and exchange their pass for the required travel authority before travelling.
Checks will target fake, reused and misused tickets, including unreserved tickets, while the minimum ticketless-travel penalty is now Rs 500.
- Who
- Central Railway officials and ticket-checking staff will inspect passengers, especially those travelling with concessions, specified quotas or railway passes.
- What
- An intensive campaign will verify ticket authenticity, original identity documents, eligibility papers and travel authorities; groups may face action if required proof is missing.
- Where
- Across Central Railway services; the announcement was issued from Mumbai.
- When
- The campaign will run from October 1 to October 31, 2026; the minimum ticketless-travel penalty increased on June 20, 2026.
- Why
- To curb misuse of reservation facilities, concessions and passes, detect fraudulent or invalid tickets and prevent railway revenue leakage.
Key facts
- Checking period
- October 1–31, 2026
- Railway zone
- Central Railway
- Required proof
- Passengers using specified concessions or quotas must carry prescribed original identity or eligibility documents.
- Multiple-passenger tickets
- At least one listed passenger must carry the required original proof; otherwise, the entire group may face action.
- Pass users
- E-Pass and PTO users must carry original documents and exchange the pass for the prescribed travel authority.
- Acceptable documents
- Examples include a passport, PAN card, driving licence, Aadhaar, voter identity card, qualifying government identity card and certain student or bank documents.
- Ticketless-travel penalty
- The minimum penalty increased from Rs 250 to Rs 500 from June 20, 2026, under the stated provisions of the Jan Vishwas Act, 2026.
Quotes
Dr Swapnil Nila
Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway
“As per the provisions of the Jan Vishwas Act, 2026, the minimum penalty under Sections 137 & 138 of the Railway Act, 1989 has been increased from Rs 250 to Rs 500 with effect from 20 June 2026. Passengers are requested to travel with a valid ticket and follow railway rules to avoid penalties.”
financialexpress.com
“In the absence of the required original proof, all the passengers travelling on the ticket will be treated as travelling without a valid ticket, as per the applicable rules.”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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