3 min readMumbaiFeb 7, 2025 09:34 PM IST
First published on: Feb 7, 2025 at 09:34 PM IST
In a significant move to improve transparency and tackle ticketless travel, Western Railway (WR) has begun equipping its ticket checkers (TCs) with body cameras. The initiative aims to record any inappropriate incidents or disputes that may arise during ticket checks, making enforcement actions more effective and aiding in maintaining law and order.
Ticketless travel has long been a challenge for railways, with many passengers caught without valid tickets refusing to pay fines. These situations often escalate into disputes and, at times, even lead to violent incidents.
To address these growing concerns, WR is taking a proactive stance by providing body cameras to ticket checkers, ensuring better monitoring of these situations. Western Railway currently has around 1,200 ticket checkers in the Mumbai division, which includes suburban train TCs.
Vineet Abhishek, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Western Railway, mentioned that as part of a pilot project, body cameras have already been distributed to a select group of TCs. Over time, the cameras will be rolled out to all ticket checkers in the division.
The body cameras, which function for up to eight hours, will record video footage during ticket inspections. These recordings will be used to take action against passengers who either travel without tickets or refuse to pay the fine, under Section 140 of the Railway Act, 1989.
In addition to the cameras, WR has introduced a Pre-Custody Area at select railway stations for passengers caught traveling without tickets and refusing to pay fines. These areas, located on platforms, are designed to educate passengers on railway travel rules. If passengers still refuse to comply, they will be issued a memo and handed over to the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Pre-Custody Areas have been set up at Borivali and Andheri stations, with plans to expand to other stations in the future.
“The process of providing body cameras to bring transparency to ticket inspections has begun. This will also help deter passengers from traveling without tickets,” said Vineet Abhishek, CPRO, WR. He further added that the pilot project has already shown positive results, with a recovery increase from 20 to 80 percent in fines.
As per the WR between April to December 2024, they collected over Rs 100 crore in fines from ticketless travelers.
Meanwhile, Central Railway (CR) also initiated a similar project last year. The CR Mumbai division has purchased 50 body cameras for its ticket checkers as part of its pilot project. However, CR officials said that they have submitted a proposal for additional cameras and expansion of the project, as the division has over 1,200 TCs. “The proposal is currently under consideration, as funding for more cameras will be required,” said the official.
The body cameras, which function for up to eight hours, will record video footage during ticket inspections. (Express Archive Photo/ Deepak Joshi) 
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