New Railway Minister Pawan Bansal today hints at possible passenger fare hike to improve services in the railways.
Justifying the need for such astep, the Railway Minister said, “We have to ensure that the vast infrastructure of the railways does not collapse and stop functioning. So we have to increase fares and assure the public that if there will be any hike, the public will also appreciate it because we are going to improve the services.”
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Favouring a hike in passenger fares, the new Minister of State for Railways, Adheer Kumar Choudhury said, ‘Prices have increased in every area…so why not in the railways. Common people will not oppose it (fare hike) if services will be proper.”
At present, the railways are facing financial crunch and funds earmarked for many of the ongoing projects are being curtailed. Indeed the nominal fare hike will help to come over from the financial deficit. However, concern about the punctuality, cleanliness, safety and security in Railways also need to address for the best interest of the people.