Govt may not cut rail fares despite fall in fuel prices

Railways has no plans to review passenger fares in wake of recent drop in fuel prices, Railway Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said.

Any decision in this regard would be taken when Railways reviews the fuel adjustment component (FAC)-linked revision scheme, Gowda told reporters to a question in this regard.

The scheme is reviewed every six month and the next review is slated in December.

"There is an equation to calculate the fuel price. It comes up after six months," he said.

Railways had in June this year effected a steep across-the-board hike of 14.2 per cent in passenger fares in all classes and a 6.5 per cent increase in freight rates to garner Rs 8000 crore (Rs 80 billion) a year.

Gowda released a book titled 'Art and Railways - A Bangalore Saga', penned by S Mani and Lily Pandeya, both of whom are senior railway officials.

Asked about cancellation of about 30 trains in view of the ensuing foggy weather conditions in Northern India, Railway Board Chairman Arunendra Kumar said the decision was taken to ensure smooth running of other trains and traffic during poor visibility.

"When fog takes place, nothing runs except trains. We have emphasised on safety even if trains run late and cancel trains so that other trains runs normally," he said.