The recent hike in platform ticket cost in some stations is a "temporary" measure and is aimed at preventing crowding during the coronavirus pandemic, the railways clarified on Friday.

The Indian Railways on Friday issued an official statement to say said that the hike in price of platform tickets is a temporary measure and is a field activity undertaken by railway administration in the interest of safety of passengers and to prevent overcrowding at stations.

Deterring more persons to visit the station, the platform ticket charges are increased from time to time after assessing ground situation. This is in practice for many years and is used occasionally as a short term crowd control measure, it said.

Cost of platform tickets has increased by up to Rs 50 in some stations recently. It came close to the heels of the railways increasing ticket cost for short-distance trains.

Taking the upsurge of COVID in few states in consideration, the Indian Railway is discouraging people from unnecessary crowding at the platforms , it said , adding that rush at the platforms during a pandemic situation also needs to be regulated and the exercise is in public interest only.

“In March 2020, many divisions in Railways enhanced the platform ticket price at various stations to avoid crowding. Later, this was revoked over a period of time.  During festivals like Chathh, Diwali or Melas etc as well in different zones it is often temporarily increased and later on rolled back,” it added.

The ministry further said that regulation and controlling of crowds at stations is the responsibility of the Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs).

“Powers have been delegated to DRMs since 2015 to raise platform tickets to regulate rush at platforms during specific requirements like mela, rally etc. The power to change charges of platform tickets has been delegated to DRM s due to field management requirement,” it said.