Rail fares may go down from next Budget

The railway ministry is planning to include a proposal for reduction of fares by four to eight per cent in its Budget for the fiscal year 2008-09.

"Fare cuts in the next fiscal is actively considered and efforts are on to minimise the overall operational cost," said a senior railway ministry official.

According to the proposal actively considered by the ministry, passenger fares for all classes, except the AC, are likely to be reduced by four to six per cent while the charges for AC classes is likely to be slashed down by six to eight per cent in lean season and four to five per cent in peak season.

"Besides reducing the fares, the coming rail budget will also have greater emphasis on passenger amenities," said the official.

Railways are mulling over a proposal to set up a separate authority that would supervise cleanliness in trains and platforms, he said.

According to the proposal, there would be a provision for imposing fines and imprisonment for those found dirtying in the railway premises.

Though the Railways Act provides for fines and imprisonment for those who create nuisance in railway premises, the move aims to expand the scope of this provision by setting up a separate authority to deal with the issue.

Railways have undertaken several measures for renovation and upgrade of major stations including New Delhi and Patna stations.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad has already announced the year 2007-08 as the "year of cleanliness".

While the Railways' total earnings have gone up to Rs 44,472.14 crore till November this fiscal against Rs 39,669.25 crore during the same period previous year, the total passenger revenue earnings during this period was Rs 12,869.41 crore compared to Rs 11,328.74 crore same period last year.

The railway minister had indicated that the coming rail budget would be for "aam admi" (common man).