Indian Railway Fare Subsidy

Railway fare concessions to senior citizens, which were stopped during Covid, have not yet been reinstated despite MPs from both the ruling BJP and main opposition Congress batting for it, and a Parliament committee recommending it.

Buoyed by its success with senior citizens, the Indian Railways is set to extend its 'Give it up' scheme to include other concession holders to offset its nearly Rs 33,000-crore subsidy burden in annual passenger fares.

The railways have come out with a chart comparing train fares with the prices of apples, movie ticket, refined oil, other commodities used in daily life in an indication of the subsidy provided for passenger travel.

With passenger booking falling over four per cent between April and August this year, a worried Indian Railways has raised concerns about a possible rise in passenger subsidy, according to sources.

Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal made it clear on Friday that there will be no further hike in the near future in reservation or cancellation charges, though cross subsidy from freight to passenger segment has touched Rs 25,000 crore.

Railway fare concessions to senior citizens, which were stopped during Covid, have not yet been reinstated despite MPs from both the ruling BJP and main opposition Congress batting for it, and a Parliament committee recommending it.

Buoyed by its success with senior citizens, the Indian Railways is set to extend its 'Give it up' scheme to include other concession holders to offset its nearly Rs 33,000-crore subsidy burden in annual passenger fares.

The railways have come out with a chart comparing train fares with the prices of apples, movie ticket, refined oil, other commodities used in daily life in an indication of the subsidy provided for passenger travel.

With passenger booking falling over four per cent between April and August this year, a worried Indian Railways has raised concerns about a possible rise in passenger subsidy, according to sources.

Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal made it clear on Friday that there will be no further hike in the near future in reservation or cancellation charges, though cross subsidy from freight to passenger segment has touched Rs 25,000 crore.