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Rail fare hiked by 14.2%
New Delhi, June 20:
Moving by trains is set to become dearer for both people and goods. The rate hike will be applicable from June 25.
For freight, the hike is 6.5 per cent. Only container segment will not attract any freight rate hike.
For passengers, the rate hike is 14.2 per cent.
PTI adds:
The decision of the Railways today restores an announcement of May 16, the day Lok Sabha election results came, when the same hike was effected but immediately put on hold.
The Railways had then issued a notification effecting hike in passenger fare by 14.2 per cent across the board and freight charges by 6.5 per cent. This was followed up with an official press release.
The May 16 fare hike decision, which had raised eyebrows as it came in the midst of Lok Sabha election results, led to a scurry of activities in Rail Bhawan on that day and the Railway Board went into a huddle to discuss its fallout.
Soon after, the red-faced Railway Ministry had put the decision on hold, saying the matter related to the revision will be left to the next Government.
The then Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge came out with a statement directing the Board to leave the decision on the hike to the new Government.
“It is now informed that under the directions of the Minister of Railways Mallikarjun Kharge, the decision on the proposed hike in the freight charges and passenger fares have been kept pended till further advice for placing this proposal before the new Government,” the statement said.
Rail fare hiked by 14.2% | Business Line