The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Railways will not increase passenger fares, says Velu

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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Railways will not increase passenger fares, says Velu

Special Correspondent

MADURAI: Despite rise in prices of petroleum products, the Railways does not intend to increase passenger fares, said Minister of State for Railways R. Velu here on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting passenger amenities in Kovilpatti and Madurai stations, he said passenger fares had not been increased in the last five budgets.

“We do not want to pass the burden to passengers.”

The Railways had taken steps to increase productivity in every sphere. In the long run, he hoped the administration would overcome the losses due to rise in prices. Though revenue earned from passenger operations remained in the red, earnings from freight offset the loss, he said.

New BG line

Mr. Velu said the new broad gauge line between Karaikudi and Manamadurai would be inaugurated on July 2 by Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.

On some of the ongoing projects, he said that the Coleroon bridge work would be completed by December.

The Tirunelveli- Tiruchendur, Katpadi-Vellore and Tiruvarur-Nagore BG lines were ready for inspection by the Railway Safety Commissioner.

On the progress of line doubling, sanctioned in the last budget, between Villupuram and Dindigul, he said the work between Dindigul and Kodaikanal Road would be completed within a week and the line opened in July.

The doubling work from Kodaikanal Road to Madurai would also be completed in a few months. He hoped it would be ready by the year-end.

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