East Central Railwaylaunches drive against touts

PATNA: East Central Railway (ECR) has launched a massive drive against touts involved in procuring ‘ tatkal’ tickets illegally from passenger reservation system (PRS) counters under the five divisions of the zone. ECR GM Madhuresh Kumar has issued a directive to check touts’ activities at any cost.
Over a dozen touts have been arrested from different places under the zone during a drive carried out by RPF personnel in October and November.Tickets and money were recovered from their possession during raids at their hideouts. ECR CPRO Arvind Rajak said the zone has set up a high-level team of RPF to keep a tab on the touts, particularly at major stations like Patna Junction and Rajendra Nagar Terminal. Senior railway security officials have been personally monitoring the drive against the touts who exploit the passengers by luring them to buy tickets at premium price under tatkal scheme, he said.
Railways has deployed RPF personnel in mufti at important places to keep a close watch on the touts. Besides, the conduct of railway reservation staff on duty is also under the scanner.
Railways is monitoring the activities of undesirable people through close circuit TV (CCTV) cameras at Patna Junction and other major stations during peak hours.
Railways has also launched an awareness drive among common passengers not to buy tickets from touts in fake names, sources said.