CHENNAI: The Railway Board, has mandated thatTravel Ticket Examiners record details of passengers while issuing Excess Fare Ticket (EFT).
“Henceforth, while issuing Excess Fare Tickets (EFT) on board, ticket checking staff should verify the passenger’s identity by one of the prescribed proofs of identity and note the mobile number details on the EFT,” a Railway Board circular dated January 12 said. The directive also cautions TTEs that extracting above details from passengers should not become a cause for complaint.
Railway officials say the initiative would enhance safety for commuters at large and women passengers in particular, plugging a major loophole in security. So far, there were no clear cut instructions issued for taking proof of identity from passengers, who are allotted available vacant accommodation en route by ticket checking staff.
According to a railway official, TTEs generally take details such as name of the passenger, age and sex, besides collecting the excess fare while issuing confirmed tickets, if vacant seats were freely available in reserved coaches.
A RPF officer said it would discourage miscreants from indulging in crimes, as they have to show a proof of identity while moving into reserved compartments. It may be recalled that a few years ago, railways had made carrying a prescribed proof of identity compulsory for passengers travelling with reserved tickets.