A very important and big news has come from the Central Government for crores of railway passengers traveling by train. The Central Government has given the green signal to the ‘Public Trust Act-2026’, making a major change in the old rules and regulations of the Railways.
The main objective of this big decision of the government is to provide great relief to the common passengers regarding minor crimes and mistakes. Along with this, with the implementation of this new law, the administrative and legal process of Railways will also become much easier than before.
The biggest relief under this new law is that some minor violations occurring in railway premises have now been completely removed from the criminal category. Instead, these cases have now been brought under the ambit of administrative fines. This simply means that now passengers will not have to go to court or jail for various types of mistakes, rather they will be able to settle their case by paying the fixed fine on the spot. This new system of Railways is going to be implemented in the entire country from July 1.
Those traveling without tickets will not fare well now, they will be fined heavily
According to the new rules of Railways, if any passenger is found deliberately traveling in the train without a ticket, or is clever in reusing an old and used ticket, then strict action will be taken against him. Along with the fixed train fare, an additional administrative fee (penalty) will also be charged from such passengers. The government has fixed a minimum fine of at least Rs 500 for such cases. Keep in mind that if a passenger refuses to pay this fine, only further legal action will be taken against him.
Crackdown on illegal vending in stations and trains
Now the strictness of the Railway Administration is going to increase a lot against illegal vendors and hawkers who roam around in railway stations or running trains and sell goods without proper license. Under the new rules, now a heavy administrative fine of up to Rs 2000 can be imposed on such illegal vendors. Apart from this, there will be a complete ban on begging inside railway premises and trains and if caught, strict action will be taken as per rules.
You will be out of pocket if you go to no-entry and restricted areas.
Train passengers will be allowed to go only to those places at the railway station which have been designated for them. If any outsider enters any restricted or secure area of the Railways without permission and does not move away from there even after being explained or warned by the Railway staff, then an administrative fine of Rs 500 can be imposed on him.
If you smoke beedi or cigarette inside the platform and train, you will be punished severely.
Railways has further tightened the rules against smoking inside station premises, platforms or train coaches. Now if any person is caught consuming beedi, cigarette or other intoxicants on railway property, he can be fined up to Rs 2000. Along with this, there will be a complete ban on taking out any kind of demonstration, political rally or procession on the railway premises, platforms or tracks without prior permission and fine and strict legal action will be taken against those doing so.
On-spot action against male passengers entering ladies coach
Keeping in mind the safety and convenience of women, Railways has made the rules regarding ladies compartment very strict. If a male passenger is found forcibly sitting or traveling in a compartment, seat or berth reserved for women, the Railways can immediately cancel his ticket. Along with this, the male passenger will be immediately shown the way out of the coach. Not only this, Railways has also made a strict provision to impose a heavy fine of up to Rs 2500 on such unruly and rule-breaking passengers.
Railways will take down drug addicts and miscreants directly from the moving train.
The third eye of the Railways will keep an eye on those who create ruckus under the influence of liquor or any other intoxicant, misbehave with co-passengers or spread filth in the train or railway station premises. Such unruly passengers will not only be fined heavily but will also be thrown off the train midway. For such hooliganism and violation of rules, a fine of up to Rs 1000 will have to be paid. At the same time, if the situation is very serious, then apart from facing jail, you may also have to face a huge fine.
Now traveling on someone else’s ticket will be very expensive
If a person is caught traveling on his own on a confirmed ticket booked in the name of another passenger, the railway checking staff can immediately confiscate his ticket. Apart from this, the fake passenger will have to pay an additional fee equal to the fare for that journey or at least Rs 500. If the passenger does not pay this penalty, he will be immediately handed over to GRP or RPF and further legal process will be started.