Central Railway Mega Ticket Checking: 24-Hour Drive Starts Oct 1
Central Railway has announced a massive 24-hour mega-checking campaign scheduled to run from October 1 to October 31, 2026. This intensive drive aims to tackle unauthorized travel, touting, and identity fraud as millions of passengers prepare to travel during the busy Diwali and Chhath festival season.
Strict ID Verification Rules for Passengers
To ensure compliance with railway regulations, authorities will be strictly verifying travel documents. Passengers traveling on reserved tickets must carry their original identification. For those traveling in groups on a single ticket, at least one person in the group must present a valid original photo ID. If a group fails to produce the necessary documentation, the entire group will be treated as traveling without a valid ticket, leading to penal action.
These strict protocols also extend to passengers using concessional tickets, reserved quotas, and railway passes such as E-Passes or PTOs. It is important to note that PTOs must be duly converted into a travel authority before departure.
Valid Identity Documents Accepted
Passengers can use several forms of identification during the checking drive. The following documents are considered valid:
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID
- Passport
- PAN Card
- Driving License
- Student IDs from recognized institutions
- Nationalized bank passbooks with photographs
- Laminated bank credit cards
- Government-issued photo IDs
Note: Documents presented via DigiLocker are acceptable only if they appear in the 'Issued Documents' section and are not simply uploaded images.
Increased Penalties and Special Train Services
Travelers should be aware that the minimum penalty for traveling without a valid ticket has been increased to Rs 500, effective from June 20, 2026. This enforcement follows recent directives from the Railway Board to prevent the misuse of reservation facilities and protect railway revenue.
To accommodate the massive festive rush, Central Railway has announced 418 special train services for the Puja, Diwali, and Chhath season. Bookings for these special services commenced on September 27, 2026, to help manage the high demand for travel across the zone.