Increase in train fares in the next financial year is imminent to sustain the railways in the long run and to provide better services to passengers, Union minister of state for railways Kotla Surya Prakash Reddy has said.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting the passenger amenities at the Secunderabad railway station here on Friday, he said the financial condition of the railways was not good and would worsen if the fares were not increased.
He, however, did not hint at the quantum of hike but said it would be moderate and apply to all classes of passengers.
The percentage of hike will be decided at the Railway Board meetings.
Surya Prakash Reddy said that despite its financial constraints the railways was providing the best possible amenities in coaches and at stations.
Facilities will be upgarded as per the categorisation and importance of stations. He visited Platforms 1 and 10 and inspected the station buildings, waiting halls, cleanliness, lift and escalator work, drinking water, catering and toilet facilities, cloak rooms and booking counters. He suggested dispaly of destination boards on coaches also in Telugu. He inspected the sleeper-class coaches of Falaknuma Express and interacted with the passengers. He later visited the Coaching Depot and inspected the cleaning and maintenance of coaches at Pit Lines.
He also visited the Kacheguda and Hyderabad stations and inspected the amenities there.
Escalators: SCR general manager GN Asthana said 60 escalators and lifts would come up at important railway stations on South Central Railway within six months.
These will include six at Secunderabad and two at Nampally. On the second phase of Multi Modal Transportation System (MMTS), he said the final location survey was completed and the process for calling tenders would be initiated in January.