Indian Railway: Railway travel becomes more expensive, fares increased for 130 trains

Indian Railways has increased the fares of all classes by giving superfast status to 130 Mail-Express trains across the country. Railways has increased the fare of trains by Rs 75 per passenger in AC-1 and Executive class, Rs 45 in AC-2,3, chair car and Rs 30 per passenger in sleeper class of trains. Thus, in booking a PNR (6 passengers), passengers will have to pay extra Rs 450 in AC-1, Rs 270 in AC-2, 3 and Rs 180 in sleeper. This arrangement has been implemented from 1st October.

However, there has been no enhancement in catering, passenger safety or facilities in all these trains. Railways has increased the fare in all classes without spending a single penny on this item. According to the railway rules, trains running at an average speed of 56 kmph are given the status of superfast in the time table.

Experts say that Indian Railways has failed to increase the average speed of trains for 45 years. In this, the average speed of Mail-Express trains for four decades is 50 to 58 kmph, while the average speed of Railways' premium Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto trains etc. is 70-85 kmph. Around 15-20 per cent of the trains never reach their destination on time. Around 60 per cent trains arrive 15-20 minutes late.

In the new Railway Time Table 2022-23, a large number of passenger trains have been given the status of Mail-Express. This simply means that lakhs of daily commuters will not be able to travel in these trains, as the increased fare will prevent them from doing so. Not only this, both fare and fine will be charged for traveling without a ticket. Apart from this, in addition to the basic fare in Mail-Express trains, GST including reservation charge, superfast charge is levied.

For example in the time table 2022-23 Delhi-Bhatinda (Train No. 20409) passenger train has been given the status of Mail-Express. Its distance is 298 km, while according to the railway rules, passenger trains run up to 325 km. Not only this, this train has also been given the status of superfast. Delhi-Saharanpur (Train No. 20411) is given Passenger to Mail-Express status, while the distance of Delhi-Saharanpur is 181 kms.