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Lalu's rail: What's in it for you

February 26, 2008
Train travel to be cheaper for all!

  • The railway minister announced a Re 1 discount per passenger for fares up to Rs 50 in non-suburban second class (ordinary and mail /express).
  • 5% discount across the board for passenger fares beyond Rs 50 for all non-suburban second class (ordinary and mail/express ).
  • Increase in discount for travel in new design high capacity reserved coaches.
  • AC fares cut

  • Rationalization of AC class fares completed.
  • Relativity index of fares for AC-I class reduced from 1150 to 1000 and from 650 to 600 for AC-II tier.
  • Reduction in fare: AC I -- 7%
  • AC II -- 4%
  • For popular trains and during peak period the above reduction will be half as in the previous year.
  • Freight

  • No across the board increase in freight rates.
  • Highest class 210 reduced to 200 concluding rationalization process.
  • 5% reduction in freight rates for petrol and diesel.
  • Fly ash- reduction in classification from class 140 to 120; 14 % reduction in freight rate .
  • Liberalization of Traditional Empty Flow direction incentive scheme
  • 30 % discount on entire traffic in place of incremental traffic booked from goods shed
  • Some commodities excluded
  • Increase in discount on incremental traffic booked from private sidings from 30% to 40%
  • Composite base freight rate to be charged for all unclassified commodities in place of highest class:
  • Tank Wagons Class 200
  • Flat Wagons Class 180
  • Open (including Hopper) Wagons Class 160
  • Covered Wagons Class 150
  • 6% freight concession for traffic booked from other states for stations in North Eastern states.
  • Special lump sum rates for Merry-Go-Round (MGR) services for customers who will provide track, OHE and terminals at both ends.
  • Image: Indian policemen are reflected in a train carriage windows as they walk past the high speed air conditioned 'Rajdhani Express' prior to it's departure from a station in Kolkata. Indian Railway Minister Lalu Prasad has cut AC fares for passengers.

    Photograph: Deshakalyan Chowdhury/AFP/Getty Images
    Also read: What is the Budget all about?

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