Tamil Nadu: Fine for ticketless travel increased; new rules to come into effect from July 1.
Tamil Nadu: The Railways has intensified its crackdown on ticketless travel by increasing the penalty amount. Passengers traveling without a valid ticket will now face a minimum fine of ₹500. The fine has been doubled from the previous amount of ₹250. This new rule will come into effect nationwide on July 1.
Over 13,000 passenger trains operate daily across the country, carrying more than 2.5 crore passengers. Incidents of ticketless travel frequently occur within this vast network. In light of this, the Ministry of Railways has decided to revise the penalty structure to ensure stricter compliance with the rules.
Under the new rule, any passenger caught without a valid ticket must pay a minimum fine of ₹500. Additionally, the full fare for the journey undertaken will be collected; essentially, the passenger must pay both the fare and the fine.
The Railways has also clarified that traveling on a ticket booked in someone else’s name will be considered a violation of the rules. In such cases, an additional fine of ₹500 will be imposed on the passenger, alongside the mandatory payment of the original fare.
If a passenger fails to pay the fine immediately, the matter will be referred for further legal proceedings, potentially leading to court action against the individual. The Railways states that this measure aims to instill greater discipline among passengers and curb ticketless travel.
According to railway officials, ticketless travel not only causes revenue loss but also inconveniences passengers holding valid tickets. Consequently, the penalty amount has been raised to make the regulations more effective.
With the implementation of these new rules, it is expected that incidents of ticketless travel will decrease, fostering greater transparency and discipline within the railway system.
