Train fare likely to be increased

Today's Paper

GULBARGA, September 25, 2013

Railways may hike AC, first-class fares in express, special trains

Special Correspondent

  

M. Mallikarjun Kharge

In the wake of increase in diesel prices, the Railway Ministry is planning to raise fares of AC and first-class travel in express and special trains, Minister for Railways M. Mallikarjun Kharge said here on Tuesday.

Passenger fares (second class), however, will not be touched, he clarified at a press conference.

“Reduced freight earnings have also made us think of increasing freight charges,” he said.

“The rise in fuel prices is a challenge for us. Budgetary support from the Union government has reduced, while the cost of routine operations has escalated. The number of projects we need to take up is rising. This is why we are exploring the option of increasing fares of express and special trains,” he said.

About Rs. 7,000 crore to Rs. 8,000 crore is spent on fuel and maintenance of trains per year. There has been significant increase in the fuel bill due to the rise in diesel prices. But this has not affected the quality of service or the pace of railway projects, Mr. Kharge said.

Rail link

Work on the rail link from Banihal to Baramulla and Udhampur to Katra that would link Jammu with the rest of the country would be completed in a month. This would help pilgrims going to Vaishno Devi and surrounding areas reach their destination easily, he said.

Two new trains from Bangalore to Vaishno Devi and Ajmeer would pass through Gulbarga, he said. Work has been launched on a coach factory in Bhilwara in Rajasthan. The project would be completed in three years. The Rajasthan government has provided 512 acres of land to Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. which will manufacture coaches based on the requirement of the Railways, he said.

RPF recruitment

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) will recruit men and women constables. Women personnel will be posted on popular routes starting from Mumbai, Delhi, Solapur and Guntakal.

The Minister said that an examination to fill Class C and D posts in the Railways would be conducted in regional languages.

Passenger fares (second class), however, will not be touched, says Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge