Pune Division Collects Rs 13.62 Crore in Ticketless Travel Penalties as Central Railway Records Rs 121.31 Crore Recovery

Pune/Mumbai, 12th August 2026: Central Railway’s ticket checking drive has resulted in the recovery of Rs 121.31 crore in penalties from 15.46 lakh passengers found travelling without tickets, with improper or invalid travel authority, between April and July 2026.

The figures are part of Central Railway’s intensified ticket checking campaign during the first four months of the financial year 2026-27. Compared with the corresponding period last year, the number of cases increased from 14.42 lakh to 15.46 lakh, while penalty collections rose from Rs 86.73 crore to Rs 121.31 crore.

Pune Division Recovers Rs 13.62 Crore

Pune Division accounted for 1.57 lakh cases during the April-July period and recovered Rs 13.62 crore in penalties.

Among Central Railway’s divisions, Mumbai Division recorded the highest recovery at Rs 49.50 crore from 7.40 lakh cases, followed by Bhusawal Division with Rs 31.99 crore from 3.05 lakh cases.

Nagpur Division recovered Rs 13.77 crore from 1.86 lakh cases, while Solapur Division recorded Rs 5 crore from 81,000 cases. Central Railway headquarters reported Rs 7.44 crore from 77,000 cases.

July Sees Higher Penalty Collection Despite Fewer Cases

In July 2026, Central Railway ticket checking teams detected 2.60 lakh passengers travelling without tickets or valid travel authority. The figure was lower than the 3.08 lakh cases recorded in July 2025.

However, penalty collections increased during the month. Central Railway recovered Rs 20.10 crore in July 2026, compared with Rs 16 crore in July 2025, an increase of more than 25%.

Minimum Penalty Increased to Rs 500

The Ministry of Railways has increased the minimum penalty for travelling without a valid ticket from Rs 250 to Rs 500.

Central Railway has subsequently continued ticket checking operations across its network. The drives include station checks, ambush checks, fortress checks, intensive checks and mega ticket checking drives.

The operations cover Mail and Express trains, Passenger and Special trains, as well as suburban services in the Mumbai and Pune divisions.

Central Railway has appealed to passengers to purchase valid tickets before travelling and comply with railway ticketing rules to avoid penalties and inconvenience during their journey.