Hike in platform ticket cost 'temporary', aimed at preventing crowding during pandemic: Indian Railways

It said powers to raise platform ticket prices to prevent crowding at stations had been delegated to Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) since 2015

Stranded passengers wait on a railway platform during a four-hour rail blockade called by farmers protesting against the central government's recent agricultural reforms, at Ganaur railway station in Haryana on February 18, 2021. Credit: AFP Photo

Defending a steep hike in the platform ticket price, Indian Railways on Friday said it is a "temporary" measure and is aimed at preventing crowding during the coronavirus pandemic.

"The present increase in platform ticket prices at some stations is a temporary measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus through crowding. This is being done at a limited number of stations which see a heavy rush," the railways said in a statement.

The cost of platform tickets was increased by up to Rs 50 in some stations recently. It came close on the heels of the railways increasing ticket cost for short-distance trains.

Read: Higher fares for short-distance trains to discourage needless travel, says Indian Railways

The power to raise platform ticket prices to prevent crowding at stations had been delegated to Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) since 2015, it said.

As a short-term measure to control the crowd at station premises, the railways have been practising it occasionally. "There is nothing new about it," the national transporter said.

Earlier, this had been done during festivals and gradually rolled back, it said.

"This time it's being implemented due to Covid-19 exigencies and the decision has been taken in the interest of the public only. At many places, it was introduced in March after lockdown," the statement said.

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