The Train Manager and Motorman Rest Room Canteen at Churchgate Railway Station in Mumbai was formally inaugurated on Thursday by the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Mumbai Central.
The inauguration of this restroom and canteen will bring the much-needed relief and cheer to railway staff who have been experiencing difficulties for a very long time.
As per the official, the canteen had remained shut for a long time following a fire incident at a nearby Monginis Cake Shop, which affected operations in the area.
With the reopening of this facility at Churchgate station, motormen, train managers and station staff welcomed the restoration of an essential amenity that plays a crucial role in their daily working routine.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior railway officials, including the Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer (SR DEE), Senior Divisional Operations Manager (SR DOM) and Senior Divisional Personnel Officer (SR DPO). Station Manager Dhanaji Sawant and Assistant Railway Officer (ARO) Prafullachandra Bhatt were also present on the occasion.
Representatives of various railway unions marked their presence, underlining the collective importance of the facility for employees. From the Western Railway Mazdoor Sangh, Divisional Secretary Kiran Patil and Divisional President Manish Khandelwal attended the event.
The Western Railway Employees Union was represented by its Divisional Secretary, Prashant Kanade. Office bearers from the SC/ST Union, OBC Union and other unions also participated in the inauguration of the Churchgate Rest Room Canteen.
Western Railway collects over Rs 172 crore in fines in 10 months during ticket-checking drives
Western Railway (WR) has collected over Rs 172 crore in fines through intensive ticket-checking drives conducted between April 2025 and January 2026, officials said on Thursday.
According to WR, more than 27 lakh ticketless and irregular passengers, including cases of unbooked luggage, were detected during the period, resulting in a recovery of Rs 172.55 crore, nearly a 47 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period last year.
In January 2026 alone, fines exceeding Rs 17 crore were collected from 2.82 lakh offenders, marking a 31 per cent rise year-on-year.
Mumbai suburban AC locals under focus
In the Mumbai suburban section, intensified checks led to the detection of 9.75 lakh ticketless or irregular travellers between April 2025 and January 2026, with total recoveries touching Rs 45.60 crore, including fines from AC local trains. During January 2026, WR recovered Rs 4.34 crore from over 1.02 lakh cases in suburban services.
Special focus was also placed on AC suburban locals, where surprise checks were carried out to curb unauthorised travel.
