RFP fines unauthorised passengers in handicapped coaches

A sum of over Rs 95,000 was today collected as fine from passengers who were found travelling in coaches reserved for handicapped persons in suburban trains, a Railway Protection Force (RPF) official said.
The RPF has formed special teams called 'Samvedana' to crack down on unauthorised commuters travelling in coaches for the handicapped, which is an offence under railway laws. The drive covers Central Railway stations.
"These teams today caught 275 non-bonafide passengers travelling in compartments reserved for differently abled and a fine of Rs 95,940 was realized from them," the official said.
About 10 days back, RPF, under the guidance of Senior Divisional Security Commissioner of Mumbai Division Alok Bohra, had formed eight teams comprising 10-12 jawans each to evict general commuters from the coaches meant for differently abled passengers.

"These teams have been conducting raids in peak hours at Dadar, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Badlapur, Thane, Dombivali and Kalyan stations."
"We were getting many complaints from the passengers about non-bonafide travellers, including police jawans, commuting in specified coaches. So we decided to launch a drive to nail them," Bohra said.
A case is also being registered under the relevant Sections of Indian Railway Act against the offenders, he added.