Lok Sabha Question No. 3957 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-17
Subject: Encroachment by Passengers in Reserved Coaches
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: D. Ravikumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3957 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.07.2019

## ENCROACHMENT BY PASSENGERS IN RESERVED COACHES

3957. SHRI RAVIKUMAR D.:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  has  any  action  plan  to  curb  the  menace  of encroachment by unreserved passengers in reserved coaches;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the facilities provided to pilgrims; and
- (d) whether there is any scheme to refund the fare to passengers when the service is poor and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) to (d)  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3957 BY SHRI RAVIKUMAR D. TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 17.07.2019 REGARDING ENCROACHMENT BY PASSENGERS IN RESERVED COACHES

- (a) and (b) The steps taken by the Government to dissuade unreserved passengers from travelling in reserved coaches are as under:-
- i. Conducting  of  regular  and  surprise  checks  against  unauthorized travel, which are intensified during peak rush periods.
- ii. Vigorous  drives  such  as  Ambush  Checks,  Fortress  Checks  are conducted  in association with Railway Protection Force and Magistrates.
- iii. Intensive  Check  Posts  have  been  set  up  at  important  stations  of each division of Zonal Railways to curb unauthorized travelling.
- iv. With a view  to curbing entry of  unauthorized  passengers  in reserved  coaches,  instructions  have  been  issued  for  ensuring effective manning of coaches.
- v. Travelling  public  are  urged  to  avoid  unauthorized  travel  through publicity campaigns launched by Zonal Railways through posters/notices/announcements at railway stations and advertisements in newspapers.
- (c)    On  Indian  Railways,  the  pattern  of  booking  is  monitored  and  with  a view to meet the additional demand of passengers/pilgrims, special trains are planned, extra coaches are attached subject to operational feasibility. Further,  wherever  required,  temporary  provisions  such  as  Mela  shed,

…2/-

additional  ticket  counters,  adequate  drinking  water  facility  and  public toilets, provision of help desks and other amenities are provided keeping in view the demand pattern.

- (d)    Refund  of  fare  is  granted  to  passengers  without  deduction  of cancellation/ clerkage charges in case of the following circumstances:-
- i. Non-commencement  of  journey  due  to  late  running  of  trains  by more than three hours of the scheduled departure of the train from the train originating station and passenger do not want to travel & cancel the ticket within the prescribed time limit.
- ii. Discontinuation of journey due to dislocation of train services due to unforeseen circumstances such as accident, breach or flood.
- iii. Refund of  difference  of  fare  between  AC  and  Non-AC  classes,  on failure to provide air conditioning facility in Air-conditioned coaches.
- iv. If  the  ticket  holder  of  a  higher  class  is  made  to  travel  in  a  lower class for want of accommodation in the class for which the ticket was issued,  refund of the difference between the fare paid and the fare payable for the class in which it is actually used.

In  all  the  above  cases, refund  is  permissible  on  cancellation  of tickets  as  per  Railway  Passengers (Cancellation of  Ticket  and  Refund of

Fare) Rules, 2015.

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