Patna: A total of 1,02,217 passengers were detained and penalised during a monthlong intensive ticket checking drive conducted across different locations under the Danapur division of the East Central Railway (ECR) in July month alone. The drive generated revenue of Rs 8.33 crore through fines collected from passengers travelling without valid tickets or violating railway travel norms.According to Danapur senior divisional commercial manager (DCM) Abhinav Siddarth, the special ticket checking campaign was aimed at curbing unauthorised travel and ensuring a hassle-free journey for genuine passengers, particularly those travelling in reserved coaches of long-distance mail and express trains originating from or passing through the division, Siddarth said.During the month-long drive, railway teams conducted 24 ‘Lal Gari’ raids (special ticket-checking train) and five ‘fortress’ checking operations from dawn to dusk at various stations and on trains across the division. A large number of ticket checking personnel supported by RPF staff, participated in the month long drive, he said.“Such intensive checking drives will help prevent overcrowding in reserved coaches and ensure that confirmed ticket holders do not face inconvenience during their journey,” he said adding the railway administration has decided to continue the campaign in the coming days to strengthen passenger convenience and maintain discipline during journey.The Danapur division has appealed to passengers to travel only with valid tickets and carry proper travel documents to avoid inconvenience and penalties while regular ticket checking would continue across major stations and trains under the division, senior DCM said .
