Tatkal Ticket Crackdown: 13,580 Touts and 65 Railway Staff Arrested

Post by : Saif

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha that 13,580 touts and 65 railway employees were arrested across Indian Railways between 2023 and June 2026 for offences linked to the misuse of the reservation system.

The figures were provided in a written reply to a question raised by Independent MP Patel Umeshbhai Babubhai, who sought information about action against railway employees allegedly involved in the unauthorised sale of Tatkal tickets.

65 Railway Employees Arrested

Vaishnaw said legal action is taken against offenders, including railway employees, under Section 143 of the Railways Act, 1989.

According to the minister, 65 railway employees were arrested across Indian Railways between 2023 and 2025 and up to June 2026.

Nine of these arrests were made in the Western Railway zone.

The figures indicate that enforcement action has targeted railway personnel as well as private individuals accused of unauthorised ticketing activities.

13,580 Touts Face Legal Action

The number of arrests involving touts was significantly higher.

According to the Railway Ministry, 13,580 touts were arrested during the same period for offences connected with the railway reservation system.

Authorities have taken legal action under Section 143 of the Railways Act against those accused of unauthorised ticketing activities.

The crackdown comes amid continued complaints about touts allegedly manipulating the reservation system, particularly during Tatkal booking periods when demand for confirmed tickets is high.

MP Raises Concerns Over Tatkal Ticket Nexus

MP Patel Umeshbhai Babubhai raised concerns about an alleged connection between railway employees and touts involved in the unauthorised sale of Tatkal tickets.

He also highlighted complaints regarding touts operating in the Western Railway zone and asked whether railway employees had faced action over the issue.

The Railway Ministry confirmed that employees had been arrested along with touts as part of enforcement action.

RPF Conducts Checks and Special Drives

Railway Protection Force teams conduct regular checks and special enforcement drives to identify people involved in unauthorised ticketing.

These operations are aimed at detecting illegal reservation activities and preventing touts from exploiting the railway booking system for financial gain.

Authorities have also been monitoring activities around railway reservation facilities to identify suspicious ticketing practices.

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Western Railway Facilities Also Discussed

The Lok Sabha discussion also covered passenger facilities at Western Railway stations.

The MP raised questions about lifts, escalators and foot overbridges, including concerns that some facilities were allegedly shown as operational despite being closed for long periods.

Vaishnaw provided details about the available infrastructure across Western Railway.

191 Escalators and 240 Lifts

According to the Railway Ministry, Western Railway currently has 191 escalators across 46 stations and 240 lifts across 86 stations.

Vaishnaw clarified that no lift, escalator or foot overbridge is permanently closed at any Western Railway station.

He said facilities may be temporarily unavailable because of maintenance, repairs or other operational requirements.

During such periods, alternative arrangements remain available to help passengers move between platforms.

Foot Overbridges Based on Passenger Demand

The minister also explained that the number of foot overbridges at a station is determined according to operational requirements and passenger footfall.

Railway authorities plan the availability of one or more foot overbridges based on passenger movement requirements.

The government said such arrangements are intended to ensure that passengers can continue moving between platforms even when individual facilities are temporarily unavailable.

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