The decision to hike platform ticket fare is temporary and a measure to control crowding at stations, the Ministry of Railways has clarified.
Emphasizing that such hikes are not a new thing, a statement from the ministry has claimed that it was “in the interest of safety of passengers and to prevent overcrowding at stations.”
The ministry also clarified that platform ticket charges have also been increased from time to time in the past and that there is nothing new in the measure.
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The statement also explains that fares have been hiked only at stations where heavy crowds are likely. For example, out of 78 stations in Mumbai, platform ticket fare hike has been implemented only at 7 stations.
Adding that regulation and crowd control at stations is the responsibility of Divisional Railway Managers the Railway Ministry claimed that powers are delegated to DRMs since 2015 to raise platform ticket regulate rush at platforms during melas, rallies and other such events.
The Railway Ministry has cited the example of March 2020 when many railway divisions had hiked platform ticket price at various stations to avoid crowding. The hike was later rolled back, says the Railway Ministry in a statement that was issued in the wake of critical media reports on the development.
