Jammu, January 29:
As heavy snowfall and inclement weather ground flights and block highways across the region, the Northern Railway’s Jammu Division has stepped up to manage a massive influx of passengers—and the opportunists trying to ride for free.
A high-intensity, two-day ticket checking drive on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar rail section has resulted in hundreds of penalties and a significant boost to railway revenue.
The Numbers at a Glance
The special operation, conducted on January 27 and 28, 2026, targeted key transit points where crowds were at their peak.
Total Penalized: 316 Ticketless Travelers, Fines Collected: Approx. ₹4.15 Lakh and Key Stations: Katra, Sangaldan, Banihal, Srinagar, Budgam.
Strategy Amid the Storm
With road and air routes disrupted, the railway became the sole “symbol of reliability” for stranded commuters. Recognizing that overcrowding often leads to “revenue leakage,” Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Jammu), Mr. Uchit Singhal, deployed a multi-layered strategy:
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Point-of-Entry Surveillance: Ticket checking staff were stationed at all entry and exit points of major stations.
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On-Board Inspections: Special teams conducted sweeps of both “Up” and “Down” trains along the Katra-Srinagar corridor.
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Joint Enforcement: The drive was a coordinated effort between the commercial department, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), and the Government Railway Police (GRP).
“The aim was to ensure a better and more comfortable travel experience for ticketed passengers and to take special action against those who often take advantage of the crowds,” said Mr. Uchit Singhal.
More Than Just Fines
Beyond enforcement, the Northern Railway teams acted as a lifeline for those caught in the winter freeze. Staff were seen assisting passengers stranded in the Kashmir Valley, guiding those with valid tickets through the congestion to ensure they reached their destinations safely.
Officials emphasized that these drives are conducted periodically to maintain decorum and ensure that honest, fare-paying travelers are not inconvenienced by the surge in unauthorized passengers.
