MUMBAI: An unusual "commuter" finds herself in the custody of railway officials after her master was caught travelling without ticket.
Central Railway officials have been baby-sitting the young goat abandoned by her master at Masjid station on Tuesday.
Around 4.30 pm, the man was walking out of the Main line platform, the goat in tow, when ticket collector Ram Kapte demanded to see his ticket. Railway rules do not allow animals on board or on the premises as they can endanger the life of commuters.
An official said that the goat's owner who did not have a ticket panicked, rummaged through his pockets, muttered incoherently and quickly melted away into the crowd of commuters on the platform even as the animal stood by, bleating.
"The TC was left staring around helplessly, unsure of where the man vanished. He was at a loss about what to do with the animal beside him," said the railway official.
Finally, the ticket collector herded the goat away even as commuters around him stared and some even gently petted the goat. The animal was brought to CSMT and ushered into the luggage room.
The goat is now up for auction. "This is as per rules. Its owner has not shown up to stake claim," said the official.
On Wednesday, the goat was tethered at the busy terminus with a hand-scribbled placard that read 'Rs 3000'-the reserve price. "We waited for buyers, but nobody turned up. The auction continues on Thursday," said the official.
The goat's caretakers have named her Basanti.
"She is very well-behaved," said a caretaker. "She loves to lounge on a chair which we've kept beside her."
The goat, named Basanti, has been put up for auction at CSMT
