A special intensive ticket-checking drive was conducted on Train No. 13352 Alappuzha–Dhanbad Express at Erode Junction on Tuesday (June 23, 2026), with railway authorities collecting ₹28,400 as penalty from ticketless and unauthorised passengers.

A release from the Salem Railway Division said the drive began at Erode Junction and continued until Salem Junction. All passengers travelling on the train were thoroughly checked as part of the operation. A team comprising 14 ticket-checking staff from the Commercial Department and eight personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) participated in the exercise in the presence of Assistant Commercial Manager I.S. Maharajan.

During the inspection, more than 100 unauthorised passengers travelling in reserved coaches were identified. They were deboarded from the compartments and directed to travel in the general coaches.

Railway officials also imposed penalties on passengers found travelling without valid tickets or in violation of travel rules. A total of 32 ticketless travellers and passengers holding invalid tickets were penalised, resulting in the collection of ₹28,400. The release said the drive was undertaken in response to increasing complaints from passengers regarding unauthorised travel in reserved coaches, which often causes inconvenience to those holding confirmed reservations.

Salem Railway Division said similar intensive ticket-checking drives would be conducted regularly to curb unauthorised travel, enforce ticketing rules and ensure a comfortable journey for bonafide passengers travelling in reserved compartments.