After concerns were raised over the rise in the ticket fares of short-distance passenger trains, the railways on Wednesday said the "slightly high fares" are only to discourage unnecessary travel.
"Railways would like to inform that these slightly higher fares for passenger and other short-distance trains had been introduced to discourage people from avoidable travels and those which are not most necessary. These fares are fixed at an unreserved price of mail/express trains for the same distance," the railways said in a statement.
The Ministry of Railways issued the clarification after a section of media reported that the Railways was charging higher fares from the passengers travelling in the short-distance trains.
"Covid-19 is still around and in fact worsening in some states. Visitors from many states are being subjected to screening in other areas and discouraged to travel," the Railways said.
"Higher price is be seen as a proactive measure of Railways to prevent crowding in trains and stop Covid from spreading," the Railways said.
Since the lockdown triggered by Covid-19 was eased, the Railways is running only special trains. It started with long-distance trains and now, short-distance passenger trains are also being run as special trains.
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