Central Railway Uncovers Counterfeit Ticket Scam on Godan Express
Mumbai: Central Railway's vigilance department has uncovered a major ticket scam on the Godan Express, where passengers were being duped with counterfeit tickets. The scam, which was prevalent during the festive season, saw many travelers unknowingly carr
Counterfeit TicketsGodan ExpressCentral RailwayMumbaiFestive TravelReal Estate MumbaiOct 27, 2024
The Godan Express (train number 11055) departs from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Mumbai and has been a popular route during the festive season. According to a report by Free Press Journal, over 400,000 passengers are currently traveling daily from Mumbai to eastern regions such as Uttar Pradesh. A senior official stated that, on average, 43 trains run from Mumbai to the eastern sector each day, including numerous unreserved trains. Despite each reserved train having a capacity of 1,800 passengers, over 2,000 people are boarding each one.
On October 25, the vigilance department conducted a raid following complaints that tatkaal tickets were being sold from remote locations. During the inspection, it was revealed that many passengers were carrying counterfeit tickets, which were color print copies of the original tickets. These fake tickets had been booked from areas in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh.
The investigation found that many passengers had paid around Rs 5,000 extra for tatkaal tickets, unaware that they were fake. The officers discovered multiple irregularities in the ticket scam, including 38 passengers with tickets bearing mismatched names, 18 with duplicate tickets, and 4 with handwritten tickets. Nearly Rs 1 lakh in fines was collected during the inspection. Most of the passengers, it turned out, did not realize their tickets were invalid.
This fraudulent activity has caused significant inconvenience and financial loss to unsuspecting travelers. The Central Railway has taken strict action against the involved parties and has issued warnings to passengers to verify their tickets before traveling. Passengers are advised to purchase tickets only through official channels to avoid falling victim to such scams.
Central Railway, a division of the Indian Railways, operates a vast network in the western part of India, connecting major cities and towns. It is committed to providing safe and reliable transportation to its passengers and is taking proactive measures to combat ticket fraud and ensure the integrity of its services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Godan Express?
The Godan Express (train number 11055) is a train that runs from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Mumbai to Gorakhpur. It is a popular route, especially during the festive season, when many travelers head to eastern regions like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
How many passengers travel from Mumbai to eastern regions daily during the festive season?
According to reports, over 400,000 passengers travel daily from Mumbai to eastern regions like Uttar Pradesh during the festive season.
What are tatkaal tickets?
Tatkaal tickets are a type of railway ticket that allows passengers to book seats on trains at the last minute, often for a higher fare than regular tickets. They are particularly useful during peak travel times.
What irregularities were found in the counterfeit ticket scam?
The investigation found that many passengers had tickets with mismatched names, duplicate tickets, and handwritten tickets. These tickets were color print copies of the originals and were sold from remote locations in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh.
What steps are being taken by Central Railway to prevent such scams?
Central Railway has taken strict action against the involved parties and is advising passengers to purchase tickets only through official channels. They are also increasing surveillance and awareness campaigns to ensure the integrity of their services.
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