Congress workers block railway tracks in protest against rail fare hike

Congress workers in Bhopal today blocked railway tracks to protest against the steep hike in rail fares. The protestors had also burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi while protesting at the Habibganj railway station earlier today.

Criticising the government, a Madhya Pardesh Mahila Congress member Mandvi Chauhan said, "Today all the wings of the Congress party .i.e. the Youth Congress, Women Congress and National Students Union of India have together come on the streets to demand reduction in rail fare. We will continue to protest till they don't take back their decision."

The protestors, though, were able to block trains only for a few minutes as the police quickly cleared the area.

"The hike in rail fare will affect other goods also and will make the basic necessities very expensive. Even a price of needle will increase. We are protesting against it. The promises that they made and on the basis of which they were elected, they are doing opposite of that now. If they have promised something then they should do it also," added another protestor.

The government has increased rail passenger fares by 14.2 percent and freight rates by 6.5 percent, which has led to an outcry by the opposition parties.

The decision has resulted in various protests across the country demanding the government take back its decision.