Railways caught 2.16 crore ticketless passengers in 2023-24, earned Rs 562 crore: Vaishnaw in LS
New Delhi, Mar 26 (PTI): The Indian Railways has caught about 2.16 crore passengers travelling without ticket in 2023-24 and an amount of approximately Rs 562.40 crore as excess charges was realized from these travellers, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said this in a written reply while responding to questions raised by some members regarding the number of passengers caught without ticket during 2023-24 and other related issues.
"During the year 2023-24 a total of approximately 2.16 crore passengers were detected travelling without ticket across the Indian Railways and an amount of approximately Rs 562.40 crore as excess charges (excluding fare) was realized from these passengers," Vaishnaw said
When asked to provide statewise/station-wise data of ticketless travellers, Vaishnaw said that it is not maintained that way.
"Special ticket checking campaigns are undertaken by zonal railways from time to time keeping in view the local conditions or as per directions issued by Ministry of Railways," he said.
"Conducting ticket checking activity and special ticket checking campaigns is a continuous and ongoing exercise in Indian Railways," the minister added.
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7 injured as Bengaluru-Kamakhya Express derails in Odisha
Cuttack (PTI): Seven people were injured as an express train derailed in Odisha's Cuttack district on Sunday, officials said. Eleven coaches of the SMVT Bengaluru-Kamakhya AC Express derailed at Nirgundi near Manguli at 11.54 am, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the East Coast Railway Ashok Kumar Mishra said.
Odisha Fire Service Director-General Sudhansu Sarangi said seven injured people have been rescued and taken to a nearby hospital. "The maximum number of injured persons should not be more than 10," he said. Personnel of the NDRF and Odisha Fire Service were assisting the railway in the rescue operation, he added.
The train was heading to Kamakhya station in Assam's Guwahati from Bengaluru. Mishra said a relief train has been sent to the spot.
"Arrangements are being made to help the affected passengers reach their destinations. Our priority is to restore the line at the earliest and accordingly, other trains will be diverted," he said.
Three trains were diverted because of the derailment. These trains are Dhauli Express, Neelachal Express and Purulia Express, officials said.
Helplines -- 8455885999 and 8991124238 -- have also been activated by the railways, they said.
