LUDHIANA: Commuters have not taken in good spirit the rollback in rail fares announced by the railway minister, Mukul Roy, on Thursday. They feel it is part of the political game and due to their vested interests, they are ignoring the financial crisis that the railways is facing.
Once authorities had increased the fare, they should have tried to find out ways to improve the facilities for passengers.
Rajesh Sharma, a businessman and resident of Kitchlu Nagar says, There was no problem in paying more money because at this time, railways is in dire need of funds. This hike could have helped them in improving food, cleanliness and other amenities in trains.
A homemaker and resident of Chandigarh Road, Meenu Mittal, said, If there would be no money with the railway authorities, then how would they start more trains and improve stations, trains and quality of food served. All these things are also equally important.
A railway official claimed, There is severe financial crisis in railways but even then authorities are doing nothing for increasing the income. Already, there is shortage of rail coaches and if situation remains like this, it would be tough to provide new coaches to the passengers.
He said the employees would not get salaries if the situation continues.
The hike in rail passenger fares for second class suburban and non-suburban, Sleeper, AC chair car and AC 3-tier was rolled back on Thursday. However, the increase of 15 paise per km and 30 paise per km in passenger fares in AC 2-tier and AC-1 tier has been kept unchanged. On March 14, while presenting rail budget, former railway minister Dinesh Trivedi had proposed the hike in rail fares after 8 years.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Saturday, March 24, 2012
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