New Delhi: The Modi government has announced an increase in the fare of short-distance passenger trains, and has said that this is a slight increase in the fare with the goal of reducing unnecessary travel.
Significantly, since the relaxation of lockdown, the Railways are running only special trains. Initially, only long distance trains were being operated, but now short distance passenger trains are also operating. According to the statement of the Ministry of Railways, in view of the Kovid-19 epidemic, the fare of these trains has been fixed as the unreserved ticket in the same distance mail and express trains under the special provision. After the resumption of passenger and local train services, the railways had to face criticism from passengers over the increase in fares.
The fare from Amritsar to Pathankot was earlier Rs 25 which is now Rs 55. Similarly, the fare of DMU from Jalandhar to Ferozepur has increased to Rs 60, which was Rs 30 earlier. According to the statement, the Railways wants to inform that this slight increase in the fare of passenger and other short distance trains has been done to prevent people from making unnecessary trips.
The statement said that Covid-19 is still there and the situation is worsening in some states. Travelers coming from many states are being screened and discouraged to travel. The slight increase in fares should be seen as an attempt by the railways to prevent congestion in trains and spreading of Covid-19.
