MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1139 BY SHRI RAVINDER KUSHAWAHA, SHRI ELUMALAI V., SHRI DADDAN MISHRA, SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH, SHRI DILIPKUMAR MANSUKHLAL GANDHI, SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL, SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK AND SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 02.03.2015 REGARDING TICKETLESS TRAVELLERS
(a): With a view to keep a check on the entry of unauthorised persons in reserved coaches, onboard Ticket Checking Staff is authorised to take action under provisions of Section 155 of Railways Act, 1989. Further, to curb ticketless travel on Indian Railways, various steps are taken which include conducting of regular and surprise checks, conducting of vigorous drives such as Ambush Checks and Fortress Checks in association with Railway Protection Force and Magistrates, setting up of Intensive Check Posts (ICP) at important stations of each division of Zonal Railways, effective manning of designated/functional gates at stations and collection of tickets, urging travelling public to avoid ticketless travel through publicity campaigns and through posters/notices/announcements at railway stations and advertisements in newspapers. The ticketless passengers found travelling in trains, are taken up as per relevant provisions of Railways Act, 1989.
(b): At present, the computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters are generally operated in two shifts from 08.00 hrs to 14.00 hrs in first shift and from 14.15 hrs to 20.00 hrs in the second shift on week days and from 08.00 hrs to 14.00 hrs on Sundays. Zonal Railways have also been authorised to open the PRS counters beyond 2000 hours on week days and beyond 14.00 hours on Sundays depending upon demand pattern and availability of manpower. In addition, current reservation counters at some major Railway Stations work even beyond 22.00 hours in case the traffic so warrants. Further, internet ticketing facility is available 23 hours a day from 00.30 hrs and 23.30 hours.
(c): At present Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for booking reserved tickets for regular /time-tabled long distance Mail/Express trains is 60 days. However, some short distance trains, festival specials and holiday specials etc are also run with ARP of less than 60 days. This period has been kept to facilitate passengers to plan their journey in advance specifically for peak rush days/period like summer/Winter Holidays, Holi/Puja rush etc. It is also a fact that except for peak rush periods / days, most of the reservations takes place 30 days before the date of journey. Provision of facilities for passengers is a continuous and ongoing process. There is no proposal under consideration to give interest on the cancellation of tickets since Indian Railways does not earn any interest on fares collected.
(d) & (e): ARP for reservation in most of the long distance Mail/Express trains is 60 days and not three months. It is, however, a fact that during peak rush periods / days, the demand outstrips the availability. However, to meet the requirement of additional rush during peak rush periods / days, the load of existing trains is augmented and special trains are run, keeping in view the pattern of traffic, commercial justification and operational feasibility.
(f): Indian Railways has taken various steps to keep a check on the bogus booking and the activities of Touts like carrying of original proof of identity by one of the passengers holding the ticket, while undertaking journey in reserved class, carrying of same original proof of identity as indicated on the ticket in case of Tatkal tickets, installing Close Circuit Televisions at important PRS locations to keep watch on the activities at reservation offices, conducting of frequent checks in reservation offices as well as in trains by Commercial, Vigilance and Security Directorates etc. Touts apprehended are taken up as per provisions of the Railways Act, 1989.
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