Letters: Right time to raise fares

This refers to the debate “Should rail passenger fares be raised?” (March 14). It is imperative that the Railways increases revenues by way of raising freight fares or passenger fares, or indeed both. It would serve us well to remember that passenger fares have not been increased for years because of populist Railway Budgets. But this cannot go on forever. The time has come to stick to some hard decisions and if that will mean a drain on our pockets, then so be it. It must also be ensured that funds and resources available with the Railways are utilised judiciously. And, as R Sivadasan suggests, the Railways should not increase fares for unreserved or general coaches, but for reserved, AC-coaches.

Bal Govind Noida

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