MARGAO: Konkan Railway has recently intensified its scrutiny of unauthorised travellers, by conducting an intensive ticket checking drive from August to October this year. The outcome of this drive revealed that 14,150 individuals had engaged in unauthorised travel. They were all apprehended during this period, facing penalties totaling Rs 86,37,820.
Breaking down the statistics, the month of August recorded 4,484 instances of unauthorised travel, resulting in fines amounting to Rs 26,67,555. Thereafter, in September, a comparable pattern persisted, with 4,888 cases and fines totaling Rs 27,09,700, while the month of October concluded the concerted effort with 4,778 cases and a substantial fine collection of Rs 32,60,565.
In response to these developments, Konkan Railway has issued an appeal to passengers, urging them to embark on their journeys with pride, dignity, and, crucially, valid tickets. Railway authorities have announced plans to intensify ticket checking over the next three months.
Collection of parking fees at Margao Railway Station put on hold
MARGAO: Responding to public outrage over parking fees, Konkan Railway authorities have temporarily suspended charges for vehicles parked for more than 10 minutes at the Margao station premises. Baban Ghatge, a senior officer at Konkan Railway, clarified that while there are no entry fees for the railway station, the parking fees for vehicles exceeding 10 minutes have been put on hold until the system is established.
The situation escalated as allegations surfaced that an unofficial contractor associated with the BJP was collecting fees, contrary to the official announcement by Konkan Railway. Ghatge clarified that the designated time limit for parking was 10 minutes, not 5 minutes as claimed by the ‘contractor’.
