Mumbai: In a major crackdown on fare evasion and passenger misconduct, Western Railway on Wednesday launched a surprise ticket-checking drive titled ‘NAMSTE Abhiyan’—short for Namrata Aur Strong Ticket Examination.
350 Railway Personnel Deployed at Andheri Station
On day one, the operation focused on Andheri station, where officials detected 5,192 cases of ticketless or improper travel, collecting over Rs 13.5 lakh in fines. The drive saw the deployment of around 350 personnel, including 300 ticket examiners, 30 Railway Protection Force (RPF) officers, and 20 Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel.
"This large-scale campaign is part of Western Railway’s ongoing efforts to enhance fare compliance and improve passenger discipline across its suburban network" said an official . According to WR, the drive aims to promote safer, more disciplined train travel and protect the rights of genuine, fare-paying bona fide passengers.
“The initiative is a step toward ensuring safer and more respectful journeys for bona fide passengers,” said a senior Western Railway official. “It also sends a strong message against fare evasion and unruly behavior.”
NAMSTE Abhiyan: WR detects 5,192 fare violators at Andheri on Day 1 | File Photo
Tech-Enabled Vests Issued to Ticket Checkers
Apart from that, Western Railway has also introduced multi-functional protective vests for its ticket-checking staff. These specially designed vests enable ticket checkers to carry and operate essential devices such as Excess Fare Ticket (EFT) machines, Hand Held Terminals (HHTs), body cameras, and mini-speakers used for announcements and safety-related alerts. According to officials, this gear upgrade aims to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and safety of ticket-checking operations.
Pre-Custody Zones Rolled Out for Unruly Passengers
According to an official, Western Railway has also introduced Pre-Custody Areas at various major stations to manage incidents involving unruly passengers more effectively. These zones, a first-of-its-kind initiative, will operate under CCTV surveillance, follow standardized documentation protocols, and ensure faster redressal and greater accountability. The move is designed to reduce congestion at Head TC offices and streamline the handling of passenger misconduct cases.
Unannounced Drives to Continue
The NAMSTE Abhiyan is set to continue with random, unannounced checks at various stations across the Western Railway network in the coming weeks.
Officials emphasize that the goal is not just enforcement but also education and deterrence, creating a culture of discipline and fairness in railway travel.
“We urge all passengers to travel with valid tickets and cooperate with our ticket-checking staff,” said Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway. “Respectful behavior and compliance are key to ensuring a smooth and secure journey for everyone.”
“The campaign marks a significant modernization push in Indian Railways' ongoing efforts to improve passenger experience and curb operational challenges stemming from fare evasion and disorderly conduct,” he added.
Why NAMASTE Abhiyan?
Western Railway’s Mumbai Central Division launched the NAMASTE Abhiyan to transform the image and efficiency of its Ticket Checking (TC) Inspired by the respectful Indian gesture of Namaste, the campaign blends humility (Namrata) with firm enforcement to create a dignified, tech-enabled ticket checking culture.
"With the motto: “Not just five fingers in a fist, but ten fingers in a Namaste – powerful, purposeful, and dignified,” the initiative promotes zero tolerance for ticketless travel while ensuring courteous and disciplined passenger interactions" said an official of WR.
