No further rail fare hike for now, says Bansal

Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on Friday assured there will not be any further hike in passenger fares in the immediate future. The clarification came during a reply to the debate on the Railway Budget in the Rajya Sabha.

Bansal said this while defending the pre-budget fare hike and increase in reservation, cancellation and other charges in the Budget.

The speculation that followed Bansal’s reply in the Lok Sabha prompted him to make this clarification as he had argued that regular increase in reservation and cancellation  charges will act as a deterrent to black-marketing of tickets. and keep away touts from purchasing tickets in advance.