JAMMU: More than 6,000 passengers were penalised and ₹38 lakh recovered during an intensive ticket-checking drive conducted across the Jammu Division of the Northern Railway in February, officials said on Sunday.
The month-long campaign was led by Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal. Ticket-checking teams carried out inspections at major railway stations, including Jammu Tawi railway station, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station, Udhampur railway station and Pathankot Cantonment railway station, besides checking passengers on trains passing through the division.
Officials said those penalised were found travelling without tickets or with irregular travel documents. The drive resulted in the realisation of ₹38 lakh in fines during the month.
Singhal said the objective of the campaign was not only enforcement but also passenger awareness.
“The ticket-checking campaign is not only meant to impose penalties, but also to create awareness among passengers. We appeal to passengers to travel with valid tickets and use digital payment platforms such as the UTS on Mobile App and the RailOne app,” he said.
In view of the rising passenger rush ahead of the Holi festival, the Jammu Division has decided to run special trains and strengthen security and civic amenities at stations. Officials said footfall at Jammu and Katra stations, which was around 50,000 before Holi, has increased to nearly 58,000.
Commercial staff have been directed to assist passengers to ensure smooth movement during peak hours, Singhal said.
A large contingent of Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel has been deployed to enhance security arrangements. Officials added that stations are being monitored round-the-clock through a high-definition CCTV network, with RPF and Commercial Department staff stationed in control rooms.
The division said it will continue such enforcement drives to ensure compliance with ticketing rules while maintaining a safe and comfortable travel environment for passengers.
