Lok Sabha Question No. 1592 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Increase in Passengers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMESH BIDHURI, FAIZAL P.P. MOHAMMED, RAMCHARAN BOHARA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1592 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## INCREASE IN PASSENGERS

†1592.    SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI: MOHAMMED FAIZAL: SHRI RAM CHARAN BOHRA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Railways has undertaken any assessment  regarding increasing number  of  rail passengers  in  the country particularly between Delhi and Mumbai;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether special trains are being run to deal with the increase in the number of rail passengers and if so, the details  thereof;
- (d) whether special fare is being charged from passengers travelling by said trains and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether the Government is reviewing the increase in fares and if so, the details thereof along with the corrective steps taken in this regard so far?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Madam.    The  increase  in  passenger  traffic  on  Indian Railways  and  particularly  between  Delhi  and  Mumbai  is  0.68%  and 0.99%  respectively  during  the  Financial  Year  2017-18  (April,  2017  to November, 2017) as compared to the corresponding period of last year.

(c):  Indian  Railways endeavours to operate special trains during peak seasons,  festivals,  special  events  for  clearance  of  extra  rush  of passenger  traffic  keeping  in  view  the  pattern  of  traffic,  commercial justification, operational feasibility and availability of resources. Running of special trains on various sectors is a continuous process.

(d): Special trains on special charges are introduced based on demand pattern.  Special  trains  run  over  and  above  the  scheduled  time-tabled trains are charged at the rate of 10% of basic fare for second class for reserved accommodation and 30% of basic fare for all other classes, subject to minimum and maximum.

Apart  from  above,  Suvidha  trains  are  introduced  based  on  the demand pattern. Minimum fare of Suvidha trains is equal to Tatkal fare applicable for the class of accommodation for initial 20% of the berths and  thereafter  the  fare  increases  for  subsequent  slabs  of  20%  of seats/berths  booked  subject  to  maximum  three  times  of  the  Tatkal fare.

The second class accommodation of above trains can be declared as reserved or unreserved and charging is made accordingly. In case of unreserved  second  class  accommodation  the  fares  as  applicable  to normal superfast Mail/Express trains are applicable.

Special trains on special charges and Suvidha trains are introduced based on the demand pattern. The fares of these trains have been kept higher  since  special  efforts  like  monitoring  of  waiting  list  position  of each  and  every  trains,  arrangement  of  rakes  and  coaches,  required staff etc., at short notice are made for running of these services. Apart from  this,  operational  cost  of  running  of  passenger  train  services  is increasing year after year and the passenger fare is highly subsidized.

(e): At present, there is no such proposal.

*****