Mumbai:

The initiative follows the success of a similar campaign in the city’s AC locals and aims to curb the growing menace of unauthorised travel in premium carriages. Officials say the operation has been prompted by a surge in complaints from regular commuters, who have voiced frustration over overcrowding and the unchecked misuse of First-Class sections by passengers without valid tickets or passes.

 In alarming bad news for ticketless passengers in Mumbai local trains and a renewed push to safeguard the interests of fare-paying passengers, the Mumbai Division of Central Railway is set to roll out an intensive ticket-checking drive across First-Class compartments of suburban local trains from Monday, June 16.

Dedicated ticket-checking squads backed by RPF to be deployed

Those caught travelling without valid First-Class authorisation will face immediate fines. In cases where fines cannot be settled on the spot, offenders will be handed over to railway staff at the next station for further legal action, which may include prosecution.

To enforce the campaign, dedicated ticket-checking squads will be mobilised and backed by personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF). These teams will conduct thorough inspections, especially during peak hours, rotating across key routes to ensure broad coverage. Select trains will see end-to-end checks, allowing inspectors to swiftly identify and penalise violators.

Bid to restore fairness for first class passengers in Mumbai local trains

Far from being a mere punitive measure, the drive is being positioned as a step toward restoring order and fairness within the rail network. Authorities maintain that passengers who pay a premium for First-Class services are entitled to a more comfortable and less congested journey.

By tightening checks and reinforcing travel discipline, Central Railway aims to ensure that genuine commuters get the service they are paying for.

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