Title - ‘Railway ticket fare hike inevitable’

Union minister for railways Pawan Kumar Bansal said here on Tuesday that railway ticket fare hike was inevitable in view of providing better facilities for travellers as well as for various developmental activities that would be taken up by them.

 He said even general public was asking the railway to hike charges to some extent because it has remained constant for a long time.

 Speaking to newsmen at Tirupati railway station on Tuesday, he said the railway ministry had proposed to develop Tirupati and some other stations to a world class level under Public Private Partnership mode.

 But due to some causes, the works are yet to begin.

 Admitting that the it would take some more time for beginning the upgradation works, Bansal said they would take all necessary steps for improving the facilities at the railway station.

 Without giving any assurance on creating Balaji railway division with Tirupati as its headquarters, which has been a long pending demand, the railway minister said, “Already, there are 68 railway divisions in the country and there are similar demands for creation some more divisions.

 But we should consider operational, administrative and financial issues before taking such decisions,” he explained.

 When questioned if more trains would be sanctioned to parts of the nation for pilgrims, he replied, “I am not going to give any new assurances and will concentrate on fulfilling the promises made during the last budget.