The massive ticket checking campaigns conducted by Western Railways to curb ticketless and irregular travel have yielded positive results. Between April 2025 and January 2026, Western Railways has recovered more than Rs 172.55 crore as fine by detecting more than 27 lakh cases through intensive investigation. This figure is about 47 percent more than the same period last year.
According to Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railways, the ticket checking staff, under the supervision of senior commercial officials, conducted continuous campaigns in Mumbai suburban services as well as Mail-Express, Passenger and Holiday Special trains. The main objective of these campaigns was to promote disciplined travel among passengers along with revenue conservation.
Recovery of Rs 17 crore in January 2026 itself
During January 2026 alone, 2.82 lakh cases of ticketless and irregular travel were registered, from which a fine of more than Rs 17 crore was collected. This shows an increase of about 31 percent compared to last year.
Special focus on Mumbai suburban network
Under the campaigns conducted in Mumbai suburban section, Rs 4.34 crore was recovered from 1.02 lakh cases in January 2026. At the same time, between April 2025 and January 2026, a fine of Rs 45.60 crore was collected in a total of 9.75 lakh cases, which also includes the amount received from AC local.
Action intensified on unauthorized travel in AC local
Western Railways also continued regular surprise checks in AC suburban local trains. During this period, a fine of Rs 3.38 crore was collected in more than 1 lakh cases, which is about 97 percent more than last year.
Traveling with fake UTS pass, female ticket checker caught the case
A case of fraud came to light during a joint campaign against fake and counterfeit UTS tickets in Mumbai division. Chief ticket inspector Deepika Murthy, posted in the Virar-bound local train, found the virtual UTS AC local pass shown on the mobile phone of a passenger in the ladies first class compartment suspicious. Investigation revealed that the pass was not issued through the official UTS system.
The passenger was dropped at Bandra station and interrogated, where he admitted that the pass was made through a fake application received through WhatsApp. With the help of Railway Protection Force, the passenger was handed over to Railway Police for further legal action. Western Railway has appealed to the passengers to travel only with valid tickets or passes and not to fall prey to any kind of fake app or ticket.
