SCR records highest-ever ticket checking revenue this fiscal so far

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The South Central Railway (SCR) has recorded its highest-ever ticket checking revenue, collecting Rs 223.60 crore in the financial year 2025-26. Chief public relations officer A Sridhar on Friday said the zone exceeded the Railway Board's target of Rs 221.08 crore, achieving it 14 days ahead of the fiscal's close."This is the highest revenue generated through ticket checking in any financial year. The previous record was Rs 220.81 crore in 2023-24," Sridhar said. The earnings came from fines imposed for irregular travel, unbooked luggage and other violations, he said.SCR also registered a single-day record on Oct 18 last year, earning Rs 1.9 crore from ticket checking drives. "Ticket checking plays a crucial role in discouraging ticketless and irregular travel, boosting legitimate ticket sales and educating passengers about the need for valid travel authority. It also helps guide passengers and makes travel more comfortable when they carry proper tickets," Sridhar said.SCR general manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava said alongside traditional booking windows, several digital ticketing options helped improve passenger convenience and increase revenue. These include the Rail One app, Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) near counters and QR codes displayed at stations for easy access to ticketing services. He credited the combined impact of these digital initiatives and the sustained efforts of the ticket checking staff for the rise in sales."Ticket checking is a robust mechanism to curb irregular travel and instil confidence among genuine passengers," Srivastava said.