Reduction in passenger fares, no hike in freight

New Delhi, Feb 26 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today announced a bonanza for train travellers spanning all categories of trains, reducing passenger fares and introducing eight new 'Garib Raths' and no across-the-board increase in freight rates, yet indicating a cash surplus of Rs 20,000 crore by playing on the volume game.

In his Railway Budget 2007-08 presented in the Lok Sabha, Mr Prasad also announced reduction by Re 1 in second class fares in non-suburban ordinary passenger and non-super fast mail and express trains. AC first class fares have been brought down by three per cent in busy season and six per cent in lean season.

There will be a two per cent reduction in busy season and four per cent in lean season for AC two-tier fares.

Superfast charge on second class tickets has been slashed by 20 per cent from Rs 10 to Rs eight.

The presentation of the Budget was marked by the continuous disruption of the proceedings by the opposition NDA, seeking a statement from the government on the detention of Ottavio Quattrocchi, the prime suspect in the Bofors pay-offs scam, in Argentina Mr Prasad, who remained unruffled for most part of his hour-long speech, had to face shrill protests and in the end just ran through his proposals, mindful of the fact that nothing was audible in the din.

In recent memory, a rail budget had never been presented amidst such noisy scenes.

The minister announced introduction of eight "Garib Rath" (fully air conditioned trains for common people) in keeping with the policy of linking all state capitals as also 32 new trains.

Much to the comfort of passengers, 800 more coaches are to be added to the existing passenger trains.

Mr Prasad, who has now become internationally known for scripting the incredible turnaround of Indian Railways, also announced reduction in fares for all classes of high capacity new design reserved coaches.

There will be a four per cent reduction in busy season and eight per cent in lean season in trains of this kind for AC three-tier and AC chair car.

The sleeper class fare for this category has been cut down by four per cent in all seasons.

This is the fourth successive Railway Budget presented by Mr Prasad in which there has been no hike in passenger fares and freight rates.

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