The Congress on Thursday launched an all out attack against the Government over the surge pricing in Railways even as the Ministry of Railways defended the move stating that the decision has been done on an experimental basis and it will be reviewed after some time.
"We have introduced the dynamic fare system on an experimental basis. We will review it after some time and see what necessary measures can be taken further," Chairman Railway Board (CRB) AK Mital said. He said the decision will impact fares of 81 trains. The move to put in place the flexi fare system for premier trains — Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi — from Friday onwards has invited criticism from almost all the quarters including political parties and passengers.
On the issue, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi targeting the Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that his model is to "loot from the common man and give relief to his industrialist friends time.
Terming the steep hike as "shameful" the party in a statement said that while corporates get loan waiver of Rs 1, 12,000 crore but Modi Government is hell bent on fleecing the common man through this kind of surge pricing in railways and other things from time to time.
"The speed of the train may increase or not, but Modiji has put the fares on the fast track. Modiji's model is to loot from the common people and provide relief to some of his industrialist friends," Rahul tweeted.
Defending the move, Railway Board Member (Traffic) Mohd Jamshed said train travel is still the cheaper mode of transport in the country compared to air or road. "At present, we are facing the loss of Rs 33,000 crore in the passenger segment as we charge 36 paisa for one km of travel," Jamshed said.
"We are spending Rs 1,800 crore in passenger amenities by improving platform area, installing lifts, water vending machines and many more such facilities," the Member (Traffic) said.
All India Railway Federation General Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra said, "The hike is not on Garib Rath or Jan Shatabdi trains which are used by the common man. Rajdhani or Shatabdi trains are generally patronised by those who can afford premier service." Mishra added financial position of the railways is "not very good" and there is a need for some measures to improve the situation.
At the AICC briefing, party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala sought immediate rollback of the surge pricing in rail fares that has come as a "rude shock" to people of the country already reeling under the scourge of high prices ahead of the festive season.
"Railway surge pricing is Modi Government's ugly gift to India during festival season. Congress demands rollback," he said.
Surjewala reminded that soon after coming to power and days before the Railway Budget, the Government effected a steep hike 14.20 per cent in 'passenger fares' and about 7 per cent in 'railway freight' on June 20, 2014. Another hike in freight fare amounting to 4.35 per cent was again effected in November, 2015. This has resulted in a steep hike in prices of all essential commodities, including food articles, he said.
"Battling rising price of essential commodities and run away food inflation, the latest decision by Modi Government to impose 'Surge Pricing' through 'flexi fare system' in Rajdhani, Duranto and Shatabdi trains is a rude shock for the ordinary people of India," he said.