Title - IDs must for travel in reserved coaches

GUWAHATI: It will become mandatory for rail passengers in the state travelling in reserved train compartments to carry photo identity proofs from December 1. This initiative has been taken by the Railways to curb touting activities across the country.NF Railway said the travel ticket examiners (TTE) will strictly follow the directives to check the photo identity proofs of the passengers from December 1. However, many passengers said they did not know about this decision of the Railways.Nripen Bhattacharyya, public relations officer of NF Railways, said the Railways will also check photo identity proofs of travellers in short-distance passenger trains, he said."We hope once the TTEs start checking photo identity cards of passengers misuse of reserved ticketing system by touts will reduce to a great extent. This initiative has been taken by the railways for the benefit of the passengers," said Bhattacharyya.As of now, passengers travelling on e-tickets, tatkal tickets or tickets booked in AC compartments need to carry photo identity cards with them.Bhattacharyya added that passengers travelling in any reserved train compartments, be it sleeper or AC first class, will have to carry photo identity cards with them from December 1. But in case of a family or group, photo identity card of one member will be enough.

"In a single paper ticket issued by the railways, six passengers can travel. Out of these six members, one of them must carry their photo identity proof," said Bhattacharyya.

Though passengers have welcomed the move initiated by the railway authorities, many of them asserted that the NF Railway should publish in details the photo identity card rules.

"We are happy to see railway authorities taking an initiative to curb touting activities. But many passengers are still not aware of the rule," said Dipankar Sarma, general secretary of Assam Rail Passengers' Association.