74 touts apprehended at rail premises

Intensifying its special drive against touts, Northern Railway has apprehended 74 persons during raids conducted at ticket booking areas at various locations in the northern region.
Preventive checks were carried out by the anti-fraud squad from March 1 to March 20 and 74 persons were caught indulging in illegal ticket selling activities at rail premises and handed over the RPF for prosecution, a senior Northern Railway official said.
Raids were also being carried out on the premises of ticketing agencies in order to prevent blocking of tickets under fictitious names and subsequent sale of transferred tickets.
During the checks, 52 touts and seven Jansadharan Ticket Booking Sales Agents were prosecuted under the Railway Act and two passengers found travelling on transfer ticket during this period.

Railways have made it compulsory to carry ID proof for passengers in reserved classes to prevent travelling on fictitious names.
"We have drawn an action plan to ensure smooth functioning of reservation counters, complaint free passenger amenities in order to tackle the Holi and Summer rush," the official said.
Teams of railway officials including staff from Vigilance and RPF are being deputed at reservation offices to keep watch on the activities of touts and anti-social elements.