Rlys allows cops to travel for free

Mumbai: Sources  have said that the Railway Board has finally approved Mumbai police’s request of allowing its personnel to travel on the local trains for free. The Railways have laid just one condition — the personnel availing this facility should be in uniform. The request was made by Mumbai police commissioner D.D. Padsalgikar to Union railway minister Piyush Goyal in the meeting after the September 29 Elphinstone stampede.

An official from the Western Railways (WR) said, “The decision will soon be implemented on the Mumbai railway system as the board has approved the decision. The Union minister was not very enthusiastic about it but had still asked the police to send in the proposal.”

“If the constable or anyone from the police department is travelling in the train in plain clothes, he or she cannot avail the concession,” said a railway official.

However, on the other hand, travel for rail officials is only partially subsidised. A railway official said, “The Railways end up paying close to about 20 per cent for the passes of its employees. The first class passes are subsidised by 50 per cent.”

Until now, the Railway Protection Force was allowed to fine Mumbai police personnel for travelling without ticket. In fact, special drives were made to catch them as they were famous for never paying for their travels.