In the first two weeks of October, Aashna Panchal, 17, dared to do something that she had never done: travel ticketless from Mulund to her college in Vidyavihar. “Taking a cab or a rickshaw to commute long distance is impractical and expensive. Train is the only feasible option,” says the KJ Somaiya College student, who hasn’t been vaccinated because she is under 18. Panchal considers herself lucky to have escaped the watchful eyes of a ticket checker. She says her parents suggested that if caught, she could tell the TC that she was called in to college for important work, hoping that they’d show leniency towards students, considering her college is only on specific days. “It’s not like I am going to college every day,” shrugs Panchal.

Lucky for Panchal, her delinquent days are over, thanks to a state order issued by Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte on October 15, which made students under the age of 18 eligible for a monthly season ticket.  They can now show their Aadhaar card and school ID for a ticket. Panchal says she is relieved to finally travel in a train without the stress of being caught. Travelling ticketless is also an offence under the Railways Act. As per railway rules, any person found travelling without a ticket will be charged a penalty of  Rs 250, plus the price of the ticket.