Hike in price of platform ticket is a temporary: Indian Railways

Deterring more persons to visit the station, the platform ticket charges are increased from time to time after assessing the ground situation.

Hike in price of platform ticket is a temporary: Indian Railways
Representational Image (PSU Connect)

New Delhi: Hike in the price of platform ticket is a TEMPORARY measure and is a field activity undertaken by a railway administration in the interest of the safety of passengers and to prevent overcrowding at stations. Deterring more persons to visit the station, the platform ticket charges are increased from time to time after assessing the ground situation. This is in practice for many years and is used occasionally as a SHORT TERM crowd control measure. There is NOTHING new about it.

Considering the upsurge of COVID in few states, the Indian Railway is discouraging people from unnecessary crowding at the platforms. Rush at the platforms during pandemic situations also needs to be regulated. The exercise is in the Public interest only.

In March 2020, many divisions in Railways enhanced the platform ticket price at various stations to avoid crowding. Later, this was revoked over a period of time for example Central Zone,  ECR to name a few.  During festivals like Chathh, Diwali or Melas, etc as well in different zones it is often temporarily increased and later on rolled back.

Regulation and controlling of the crowd at stations is the responsibility of DRMs. Powers are delegated to DRMs since 2015 to raise platform tickets to regulate rush at platforms during specific requirements like mela, rally, etc. The power to change charges of platform tickets has been delegated to DRM s due to field management requirements.

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