RailEnquiry

PUNE: The Pune railway administration has arrested 22 people in the last four months for illegal purchase and sale of tickets at reservation centres. The administration plans to intensify its drive against such activities, following repeated incidents at various reservation centres.With summer vacations in full swing, officials have appealed to travellers to purchase tickets from authorised sources. "Recently, we carried out a special drive at the Rajgurunagar reservation centre. Four persons were apprehended with 25 reservation tickets worth Rs 74,239, cash of Rs 12,310 and some reservation forms. They are being prosecuted under various sections of the Railways Act," said Y K Singh, public relation officer of the Pune railway division.Singh said that the drive at Rajgurunagar was part of a series of surprise checks being conducted at various reservation centres. The vigilance team, along with inspectors of the railway protection force, was involved in the drive.Singh said, "Around five persons were caught every month this year for their involvement in illegal purchase and sale of tickets. We are intensifying the drive against touts and unauthorised ticket agents. We plan to deploy additional manpower at vulnerable centres to conduct continuous checking. The surprise checks will continue."According to railway sources, touts purchase tickets from reservation counters in common names and then sell them to passengers. The sale and purchase of tickets in such a manner is unauthorised. A passenger can face action during the journey if he/she is caught by a TTE for travelling in the name of other person.Rajesh Mehta, who recently visited a reservation office in Chinchwad, said, "There was a lot of confusion at the centre. Many people were seen waiting outside. The administration should deploy staff to guide people who are visiting the centre. They should open more counters, especially during the summer rush, when there are chances of an increase in illegal sale of tickets."