NEW DELHI, Dec 21: Aimed at mobilizing ₹600 crore, the Railways has increased train ticket fare by one paisa per km for journeys in ordinary class beyond 215 km, and two paise per km for non-Air Conditioned classes of mail or express trains and AC classes of all trains.
The Congress criticized the hike, and said instead of announcing it in the budget, the government had used an unauthorized manner to implement it. The new rates will be effective from December 26.
“There is no increase in the monthly season tickets of suburban trains and up to 215 km travel in ordinary class of other trains,” a note circulated to reporters on the fare hike said. “Railways will earn about ₹600 crore this year as a result of this rationalization. For a 500 km journey in non AC coaches, passengers will have to pay only ₹10 extra,” it added.
A Railways Ministry official said the new rate would be applicable to tickets booked on or after December 26 and those who have already booked tickets for journeys after December 26 would not have to pay any additional amount.
The Congress questioned the hike. The party’s chief spokesperson Pawan Khera said the note was being unofficially circulated to reporters covering the Railways. “Government increasing fares just before the annual budget is one thing, doing it surreptitiously is a new low even by the lowest standards set by (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi,” Mr Khera said in social media.
“Railways has expanded its network and operations significantly over the last decade. To cater to a higher level of operations and to improve safety, it is increasing its manpower. Consequently, manpower cost has increased to ₹1,15,000 crore. Pension cost has increased to ₹60,000 crore. Total cost of operations has increased to ₹2,63,000 crore in 2024-25. To meet this higher cost of manpower, railways are focusing on higher cargo loading and a small amount of passenger fare rationalization,” the note said.
(Rohit Kumar)
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