Indian Railways Steeply Hikes Platform Ticket Price On Busy Stations, Calls It Temporary Measure To Prevent Crowding

The Indian Railways has steeply hiked platform ticket prices at busy stations to dissuade crowding on platforms during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

As reported by Press Trust of India, the Railways has said that this is a temporary measure implemented at a limited number of stations. Under this measure stations like New Delhi have seen a platform ticket price hike to Rs 50, five times the prevailing rate of Rs 10.

"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 heavy rush", Railways said.

This decision comes after the railways had hiked fares for short-distance travel, owing to the aforementioned reason. The railways has now started operating virtually all suburban trains. It is also operating many long distance trains which tagging them as "specials". It is yet to resume availability of cooked food and curtains, bedding in AC coaches.