Central Railway’s Mumbai Division has realised Rs 71.31 crore in penalties from 16.16 lakh passengers travelling without proper tickets during the financial year 2025–26 (April 2025 to February 2026) as part of intensified drives against unauthorised travel.
According to the Central Railway, ticket-checking teams carried out extensive inspections in suburban trains, AC locals and Mail and Express services to curb ticketless travel and ensure safe and comfortable journeys for bona fide passengers.
Rise in cases and penalty collection
The number of irregular travel cases detected during the period increased by 2 per cent compared to 15.90 lakh cases recorded last year, while the total penalty amount collected rose by 4 per cent from Rs 68.56 crore in the previous financial year.
Railway officials said frequent ticket-checking drives across trains and stations have strengthened enforcement and helped discourage passengers from travelling without valid tickets.
Second-class coaches account for highest violations
Second-class coaches accounted for the largest share of irregular travel cases detected during the period. Between April 2025 and February 2026, Central Railway detected 11.68 lakh cases in second-class coaches, collecting Rs 58.60 crore in penalties.
During the same period, 1.46 lakh cases were detected in first-class coaches, resulting in Rs 4.66 crore in penalties, while 1.10 lakh cases were recorded in AC locals, leading to the recovery of Rs 3.51 crore.
In addition, 50,809 cases related to fare differences in Mail and Express trains were detected, with Rs 2.98 crore collected in penalties. The ticket-checking teams also identified 1.40 lakh cases of unbooked luggage, resulting in Rs 1.56 crore in penalties.
AC local violations show sharp increase
Central Railway currently operates 94 AC local services, including 14 new services introduced on the Harbour Line this year.
Special ticket-checking drives conducted in AC locals resulted in 1.10 lakh cases being detected and Rs 3.51 crore recovered in penalties, with a daily average of 401 cases and approximately Rs 1.27 lakh collected per day.
Officials said this represents a 23 per cent increase in detected cases compared to 89,799 cases last year, while the penalty amount recovered rose by 18 per cent, up from Rs 2.96 crore.
February drive detects 1.65 lakh cases
In February 2026 alone, the ticket-checking teams detected 1.65 lakh cases of irregular travel, recovering Rs 8.58 crore in penalties.
Out of these, 1.13 lakh cases were detected in second-class coaches, generating Rs 6.68 crore in penalties. Another 12,651 cases were recorded in first-class coaches, leading to Rs 40.13 lakh in penalties, while 12,235 cases were detected in AC locals, with Rs 38.56 lakh recovered.
Additionally, 16,359 cases involving fare differences in Mail and Express trains resulted in Rs 99.13 lakh in penalties, while 10,579 cases of unbooked luggage led to the recovery of Rs 12.83 lakh.
Railway urges passengers to travel with valid tickets
Central Railway said regular ticket-checking campaigns in suburban and long-distance trains not only help detect and penalise offenders but also act as a deterrent against ticketless travel.
The railway administration has appealed to commuters to purchase valid tickets before travelling to avoid inconvenience and penalties. Officials reiterated that the railways maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards ticketless travel and remain committed to ensuring a safe, comfortable and dignified journey for passengers.
