Passengers traveling to North India during festivals will have to pay 25-30% more fare on special trains, according to the North Indian Rail Sangharsh Samiti. The group has demanded that the number of trains be increased and additional coaches be added to existing trains to avoid overcrowding and stampedes.
"Special trains run to North India during festivals are emptying the pockets of tourists by charging higher fares," said Shan Khan, a spokesperson for the group. "Regular and special trains run on the same route but charge higher fares. Within no time the price increases 3-4 times. Under compulsion, the turn comes to pay even Rs 2000 for the ticket."
The group has provided a comparison of fares for regular and special trains on popular routes:
Regular Trains | Special Trains ---|---|---|
Tapti Ganga Express (19045) | Udhna Baro Junction (09033) | Rs 550 | Rs 710 Ahmedabad Asansol (19435) | Udhna Malda Town Special (09011) | Rs 600 | Rs 710 Ahmedabad Prayagraj (22967) | Udhna Patna Superstar (090450) | Rs 590 | Rs 740
Khan said that the high fares on special trains are a burden for passengers, especially artisans and North Indians who go home to celebrate Diwali and Chhath. He demanded that the government take steps to reduce fares for special trains and make travel more affordable for passengers.
The North Indian Rail Sangharsh Samiti has also demanded that the number of sleeper coaches in the Avadh Express be increased. The group said that the train is very popular with passengers, but it does not have enough sleeper coaches to meet the demand.
The group's demands have received support from passengers and tourism operators. Many passengers have complained about the high fares on special trains and the overcrowding on regular trains during festivals. Tourism operators have said that the high fares are deterring tourists from traveling to North India during festivals.
The Indian Railways has not yet responded to the group's demands.
