Drive against rail touts net 74 in a week

New Delhi, Feb 4 (PTI) Stepping up its drive against toutmenace and unauthorised travel agents, Northern Railway hasapprehended more than 70 touts in the last eight days.

"We have apprehended 74 touts from January 28 till datefor indulging in unauthorised sale of reservation ticket atdifferent stations, reservation and parcel offices," said asenior Northern Railway official.

The joint squad formed to curb the menace today busted analleged unauthorised travel agency named Balaji Tour andTravel at Mukherjee Nagar in the capital, he said.

"The owner of the agency Naresh Kumar has beenapprehended with 10 reserved tickets, register and filled-inrequisition form," said the official adding, "He has beenhanded over to RPF for further action under Railway Act."

While 789 touts were apprehended and prosecuted fromApril, 2010 till date for illegal sale of train tickets, 810passengers were also detected and prosecuted for travelling intransferred ticket (ticket booked in another person''s name).

During raids conducted by the joint squad comprisingcommercial, vigilance and RPF staff, 26 unauthorised travelagencies indulging in illegal ticket business have also beenbusted.

It has been a constant endeavour on the part of NorthernRailway to ensure easy availability of tickets to itspassengers and continuous drives have, therefore, beenorganised to crack down on touts or unauthorised travelagents, the official said.

Preventive checks were intensified by the joint squadfrom April, 2010 at reservation, booking and parcel offices ofvarious locations and raids conducted at unauthorised travelagencies to curb the activities of touts.

Officials said such drives will continue.