Railway Minister Lalu Prasad was non-committal on whether passenger and freight fares would be increased or decreased in the rail budget to be presented by him on February 26.
"We can do anything. Fares can be increased or even decreased," he said when asked what he would do on February 26 with regard to fares. Referring to earlier steps taken by the Railway Ministry to provide various passenger amenities, Prasad said, "From time to time, the Railways have been extending its facilities to its users...passenger traffic is increasing... and we have to extend facilities for them".
He was responding to questions from media persons after IRCTC and ICICI signed an MoU for extending the sale of e-tickets through merchant establishments located across 125 cities all over the country.
Prasad also dismissed suggestions that he may opt for "backdoor options" in affecting changes in fares and said he has always been a man of the "frontdoor". He also declined questions on whether he would earn revenues through freight or passenger fare and said, "It all will be known on February 26".
Prasad said Railways was committed to provide amenities at the "door steps" across the country.
