PATNA: Fed up with frequent complaints about activities of touts at all the major stations across the country, the Railway Board is toying with an idea to make carrying of identity (ID) proof compulsory for all passengers travelling on the reserved journey tickets. The Board is actively considering the proposal with a view to curb the activities of touts completely.
According to a Board official, the Board has been getting complaints from a large number of places, including metropolitan cities, that the common people were facing great difficulty in obtaining confirmed tickets for any class now-a-days. In course of random observation, it has come to light that touts have been exploiting people in the name of providing confirmed tickets to them. Besides, it has been observed that these touts were supplying booked tickets to the people under fake names at a premium.
The Board official told TOI that the Board has sought suggestions from each zone of the railways about the proposal to make carrying identity cards mandatory even for passengers who have obtained reserved journey tickets. The railways has already made carrying of identity cards compulsory for those booking their tickets under ‘tatkal ‘ service scheme, he said.
According to East Central Railway (ECR) chief commercial manager (CCM) Deepak Chhabra, the Board had sought suggestions from the ECR about the viability of making identity cards mandatory for all types of passengers during journey. The ECR has already given its suggestion to the Board in this connection, stressing on the need of making carrying of identity card compulsory for all passengers, he said.
According to sources, the railways has approved various kinds of identity proof for passengers to carry with themselves during their journey. They include personal identity card, driving licence, electors photo identity card (EPIC), passport, ration card, college or school identity cards for students and other identity proof issued by the government or institutions. The railways is concerned about photo proof so that ticket checking squad could verify the ticket, sources said.
Patna Junction has of late witnessed a spurt in touts’ activities. A large number of passengers are being deprived of confirmed tickets for Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Kolkata. The touts continue to hold sway these days at the PRS offices in and around Patna Junction. Making carrying of identity card compulsory for all kinds of passengers would automatically curb touts’ activities, sources said. According to an ECR official, the railways would be lenient with housewives in this regard. However, the railways would ensure that housewives carry EPIC or any other proof during their journey, he said.
I am a daily train traveler in Mumbai and i strongly feel that the system is commendable.
However, besides these system i am very keen on suggesting a security gate [electronic system which should open by wiping your ID card.these can be useful and can stop beggars and non ticket persons to take advantage of the railway property .luggage also should be checked in through scan machine so that we can avoid future bomb attacks by 90 percent. i also request the railway authority to remove all the eatery canteens,shoe polish etc., from the platforms and keep it open for the commuters to travel easily.
where people/commuter eat and wash their hands on the platform & litter every time they eat.Please stop these. I was traveling to Saudi Arabia where such systems are applied strongly and these systems can be brought to india.
To
Mr. Deepak Chhabra
Chief Commercial Manager,
E.C.R.
Dear Sir,
I appreciate your decisions regarding security, safety and aminities proposed for all type of railway passengers. But, I have one suggestion to advise the railway authority. The point is this, that Senior Citizens should be waived out from the essentialities of ID Proof while travelling in Sleeper Class.
Thanks for commendable efforts. With regards.
Abhay Kumar Singh
Surya Sadan, New Area, Babu Bazar,
Ara 802301 (Bihar)
Mob.No. +919507777410
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