During the raids, tickets worth Rs 68 lakh were seized and processed for blocking. (Representative)
New Delhi:
Railways said on Friday that 718 touts and 176 authorized IRCTC agents had been arrested over their alleged involvement in the illegal ticketing since May 1, when only limited trains were operating due to coronavirus restrictions.
He also said that more than 4,500 IRCTC user IDs have been blocked due to promotional activities.
“The RPF (Railway Protection Force) anticipated bragging issues and acted proactively to curb the threat of bragging, waging massive and sustained campaigns against them. 718 touts engaged in bragging activities were arrested.
“176 authorized IRCTC agents were also arrested for their involvement in turning tickets with illegal means,” the railroads said in a statement.
During the raids, tickets worth Rs 68 lakh were seized and processed for blocking. They were tickets for trips that had not yet started.
The RPF raid also led to the blocking of 4,435 personal user IDs and 176 IRCTC agent IDs, which were used to conduct promotional activities, according to the railway statement.
These were processed for deactivation by the IRCTC.
The RPF registered 717 cases under the relevant section of the Railway Act 1989.
All zones were urged to continue their efforts with total dedication to curb the bragging and ensure the availability of reserved tickets for common passengers, the statement said.
Passenger train services were suspended when the coronavirus lockdown began on March 25. The railways started Shramik Special trains from May 1, then air-conditioned passenger trains from May 12.
The railways began to operate other trains from June 1.
