The penalty for violations under Sections 137 and 138 of the Railways Act, 1989, has been increased from ₹250 to ₹500. The Ministry of Railways issued a gazette notification on June 19, 2026, confirming that these changes came into force immediately.
Passengers are strongly advised to purchase valid tickets before boarding and adhere strictly to railway regulations to avoid penalties. In May 2026, the Central Railway zone alone collected ₹40.85 crore from approximately 4.96 lakh ticketless travellers.
Section 137 of the Railways Act now stipulates that anyone travelling without a proper pass or ticket, or reusing a previously used ticket or pass, will be liable to pay the appropriate fare plus an excess charge. The excess charge is at least ₹500 or the amount notified by the Central Government.
If a passenger refuses or fails to pay the required fare and excess charge upon demand, the authorised railway servant can seek recovery through a competent court. Failure to comply may lead to imprisonment for up to six months, a fine up to ₹500, or both.
Railway division officials from Bhusaval and Mumbai Central have issued passenger advisories on social media platforms emphasizing the importance of traveling with valid tickets to avoid these enhanced penalties.
