Mumbai. Central Railway has uncovered alleged misuse of the Foreign Tourist quota after several passengers were found occupying reserved berths without valid foreign travel documents. The irregularities, detected during ticket checks and later scrutiny of suspicious bookings across 31 trains, have prompted officials to examine whether an organised ticketing network exploited loopholes in the railway reservation system.
Suspicious Travel Detected on Sanghamitra Express
According to railway sources, the Foreign Tourist quota is reserved for passengers holding foreign passports and valid visas. The facility is meant to provide reserved accommodation to international travellers, particularly in premium and long-distance trains.
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The matter came to light during a routine ticket inspection aboard the Sanghamitra Express, when ticket-checking staff asked passengers travelling under the FT quota to produce foreign travel documents. Several passengers reportedly failed to show either foreign passports or valid visas, raising suspicion among railway officials.
Officials said the discovery indicated possible illegal use of the quota to secure confirmed berths for passengers who were not eligible under the rules.
Bookings Across 31 Trains Scrutinised
Following the inspection, Central Railway examined future-dated bookings made under the foreign tourist quota. Officials reviewed 174 Passenger Name Records linked to journeys scheduled between April 24 and June 11 across 31 trains operating within the CR network.
After detailed scrutiny, authorities identified 39 bookings that allegedly violated the eligibility rules of the FT quota system. Penalties amounting to nearly ₹3.56 lakh were imposed.
Passengers travelling without mandatory documents were removed from the reserved berths. The seats were then reassigned to legitimate RAC and waitlisted passengers awaiting confirmation.
Possible Agent Network Under Investigation
Investigators suspect that the irregularities may not be isolated. Railway officials believe an organised network or agent-based system may have facilitated the fraudulent bookings.
Authorities have sought additional booking records and technical data from the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation to examine whether authorised booking agents or intermediaries were involved in manipulating the quota system. Officials are analysing booking patterns, agent login activity, payment trails and suspicious PNR behaviour.
Railway authorities said special inspection drives and verification campaigns will continue in the coming weeks. Strict action will be taken against anyone found violating reservation norms or misusing special travel quotas, officials said, adding that reserved facilities must be used only by genuine and eligible passengers.
