Relief for aam aadmi; Pitroda rules out hike in rail fares

New Delhi, Jan 24: The advisor to the Prime Minister and chairman of a high-level railway committee Sam Pitroda has rejected the media reports of having recommended a twenty five percent hike in railway passenger fares and linking of all railway fares to inflation, saying panel has not yet finalised the report.

Meanwhile, Pitroda also dismissed the reports which claim that the committee has recommended a one time rail passenger fare hike by 25 per cent and index all fares to inflation.

Pitroda made it clear that railway modernisation committee would submit the recommendations in next couple of days, since decision has not been taken on hike in railways fares. He also said that committee has not yet given any presentations before planning commissions.

Last Sept, Ministry of Railway had formed the expert committee on modernisation under the chairmanship of Pitroda to recommend modernisation of the public transporter with a focus on track, signaling, rolling stock, stations and terminals, for improving efficiency and safety.

Moreover, Union Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi has also earlier hinted at a possible fare hike, saying, "There is definite case to re-look at the fares which have not been touched for eight years."

OneIndia News