Mumbai, Jun 29: Indian Railways is likely to hike fine on ticketless passengers from the existing Rs 250 to Rs 1000. If the proposal get approval, commuters travelling without ticket on Western Railway and Central Railways suburban network including Mumbai's local train will have to pay Rs 1000 as fine, said a report.

The Western Railway has proposed to effect a four-fold increase in fine for passengers travelling without ticket from the existing Rs 250 to Rs 1000. Indian Railways is yet to take final call on the proposal. Higher fine is proposed as an a deterrent. Around 3,000 commuters travelling without ticket are caught on CR and 1,300 on WR every day.

"During Railway Board chairman Ashwani Lohani's visit to Mumbai recently, we proposed an increase in the fine amount," a senior Western Railway official was quoted as saying. The fine amount was last revised from Rs 50 to Rs 250 in 2002. Both first-class and second-class commuters are at present charged Rs 250 for travelling without ticket.

According to officials, commuters avoid buy ticket or seasonal pass thinking that even if they are caught, the fine amount would be lower than the sum they would have to shell out for reaching their destination. Central Railway and Western Railway daily earn Rs 15 lakh and Rs 5 lakh respectively from fine imposed on ticketless commuters.

However, earnings from fares every day are Rs 7 crore on CR and Rs 5 crore on WR. Some commuters want a lower fine for second-class commuters and a higher one for those travelling in first-class.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 29, 2018 10:43 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).