Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Thursday, 10 July 2025

Busy Railway stations Mull ways

 Busy Railway stations Mull ways to keep out ticketless Passengers

Extract from the article:
Indian Railways is stepping up efforts to curb the growing issue of ticketless travel, particularly at around 60 busy stations including major hubs like New Delhi and Varanasi. The initiative aims to create a controlled entry environment, where only passengers who have valid tickets can access platforms and board trains. This move is motivated by concerns around revenue loss, passenger safety, and operational efficiency. Currently, ticketless passengers evade payments causing financial drain, while overcrowding at station entry points complicates passenger management and security protocols.

The proposed measures include technological innovations, stricter entry checks, and infrastructural changes tailored to busy railway stations. The integration of automated gates and ticket verification systems is on the table, alongside the possibility of real-time validation mechanisms. Indian Railways is exploring a blend of human and digital interventions to make ticket enforcement seamless but unobtrusive. The endeavour reflects an increasing focus on systemic modernization to enhance overall commuter experience, reduce irregularities, and optimize resource utilization across the network’s busiest nodes.

My Take:

A. Western Railway : Go from Good to Great
In one of my earlier blogs, I applauded the initiative championed by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for bringing transparency to the physical ticketing process, complimenting the existing online booking system’s efficiency. I proposed a synchronized integration between physical ticket booths and IRCTC’s mobile app, suggesting live updates on ticket availability, seat allocations, and platform details be accessible instantly on passengers’ phones. This dual transparency, I argued, would empower travelers with verifiable proofs, reducing disputes and confusion during boarding.

Reflecting on the current focus on regulating entry strictly to ticket-holders, I see my recommendations gaining fresh relevance. If real-time data synchronization were implemented fully, it could seamlessly complement the ongoing efforts to restrict platform access only to authorized passengers. This would not only make crowd control easier but also enhance accountability and passenger convenience. It reiterates my belief that technological synergy between physical infrastructure and digital platforms is key to solving long-standing challenges such as ticketless travel.

B. E-pass by No Means Easy Pass
In this blog, I envisioned a future where biometric devices and mobile e-passes could become the norm for boarding public transport like trains. I suggested a scenario where passengers simply scan their mobile e-passes against biometric authentication installed at train entrances, dramatically cutting down human errors, fake tickets, and ticketless travel phenomena. This was ahead of its time, but clearly prescient given the current dialogues around entry controls at busy stations.

Looking at the efforts Indian Railways is making now, my idea merges seamlessly with their goals. Automating and biometric validating entries would address multiple pain points: faster entry, decreased ticketless evasion, and improved security. It affirms that digital biometric verification supplemented by mobile ticketing solutions is not only a futuristic ambition but a practical pathway for today’s railway ecosystem. As these innovations mature, ticket enforcement could evolve from a manual bottleneck into a streamlined, near frictionless process.

C. Dear Ashwini Vaishnawji, Congratulations
I previously lauded the Railway Ministry for launching steps toward transparency at physical ticketing booths, noting how migrants and general travelers often fell prey to unfair pricing due to opacity in fare displays. I urged further integration of physical and online ticket data, thus ensuring passengers have undeniable proof of purchase accessible anytime on their mobile devices, reducing exploitation risks.

This is particularly poignant when stations now initiate mechanisms to restrict entry exclusively to ticketed passengers. Transparent, integrated ticketing information displayed uniformly across platforms and personal devices will simplify verifications by gatekeepers and reduce confusion. It also underlines the social equity dimension of ticket enforcement systems — good governance and technology must together safeguard the economically vulnerable from exploitation amid stricter access controls.

Call to Action:
To the leadership and innovators within Indian Railways, especially at the Ministry of Railways and station management teams: I urge you to take a holistic approach by integrating your ticket validation gates with mobile and online ticketing platforms like IRCTC Rail Connect. Deploy biometric and e-pass technology as envisioned, but couple this with real-time, user-friendly information shared transparently with passengers. Only then can we truly transform busy stations into orderly, secure, and passenger-friendly gateways, while eradicating ticketless travel effectively. Your decisive action here will be a historic stride towards a smart, resilient railway network that serves millions fairly and efficiently every day.

With regards, 

Hemen Parekh

www.My-Teacher.in

No comments:

Post a Comment