Page 6 - Indian Railways

Restoration of concessions not found feasible at present: Railway Minister

The Railways has informed Parliament that at present, it did not find it feasible to restore concessions on rail tickets that have been suspended since the pandemic. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that it had received representations from several quarters to restore the facility. "In view of Pandemic & Covid protocol, concession to all categories of passengers (except 4 categories of Divyangjan, 11 categories of Patients and Students) have been withdrawn from 20.03.2020. "Representation/request/suggestions from different quarters have been received for restoration of all concessions. The matter has been examined but not found feasible at present," he said. Pre-Covid, Railway provided concessions in 54 categories.

Railways has incurred losses to tune of Rs 36.87 cr due to protests: Govt

Railways has incurred losses to the tune of Rs 36.87 crore due to the agitations by farmers and other organisations during this year, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament on Wednesday

Suspension of fare concessions: Railways' FY21 losses narrow significantly

The Railways has informed Parliament that its losses from fare concessions given to passengers has reduced from Rs 2,059 crore in 2019-2020 to Rs 38 crore in 2020-21

Indian Railways rolls back increased platform ticket price to Rs 10

Indian Railways rolled back the platform tickets prices that were increased during the COVID-19 pandemic time

Railways seeks private participation to run tourist trains and packages

Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says power to price tickets for these services will vest with concessionaire that runs them

Railways to begin third segment of trains for tourism, Bharat Gaurav trains

Bharat Gaurav trains will be theme-based, showcasing India's culture, heritage; around 190 trains allocated, says Rail minister

Recovery tracker: Higher freight numbers, workplace visits on the rise

Power generation has also continued to move higher after Diwali

Sevoke-Rangpo railway line to spur socio-economic devpt in Sikkim: Minister

The railway link between West Bengal and Sikkim, which is expected to be completed by 2023, will spur socio-economic development in the Himalayan state, Minister of State for Railways said

4 cr elderly forced to travel on full train fare with concessions suspended

Almost four crore senior citizens have been forced to pay full fare for their travel since the railways suspended their concessions due to the coronavirus outbreak in March 2020, a RTI has revealed. In a reply to a query filed by Madhya Pradesh-based Chandra Shekhar Gaur, the railways has stated that between March 22, 2020 and September 2021, 37,850,668 senior citizens have undertaken journeys on trains. During this period, train services remained suspended for several months due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown. The concessions, which were suspended from March 2020, have remained suspended to this day. In the case of senior citizens, while women are eligible for 50 per cent concession, men can avail 40 per cent in all classes. The minimum age limit for a woman is 58 and a man is 60. Over the last two decades, railway concessions have been a much-discussed topic with multiple committees recommending their withdrawal. As a result of this in July 2016, the railways made elderly ..

IRCTC looks to increase its earnings as more trains back on track

Ticket bookings go past pre-Covid levels; cooked food service to resume

Railway Board issues order to resume serving cooked meals on trains

The Railway Board has issued an order to resume serving cooked meals to passengers on trains, a service that was discontinued due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Railway Board, in a letter on Friday, asked the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to resume the service. Ready-to-eat meals will also continue to be served to passengers, the Railway board also said. "In view of the restoration of normal train services, requirements of travelling passengers and easing of Covid lockdown restrictions in eateries, restaurants, hotels and such other places across the country, it has been decided by the Ministry of Railways to resume the services of cooked food in trains. Service of ready-to-eat meals will also continue," the letter stated. Earlier this month, the Railways had announced the running of normal trains, withdrawing the special tag which had been in place for the pandemic.

Indian Railways gets first pod hotel at Mumbai Central station

Passengers can now avail of modern resting facilities at comparatively cheaper rates thanks to the first-of-its-kind pod hotel which has come up at the Mumbai Central station

Passenger fares across the Indian Railways likely to come down by about 15%

Curbs on cooked food, over-the-counter ticket sales remain

Top Headlines: Railway fares to reduce by 15%, RBI unions to step up stir

Business Standard brings you the top headlines at this hour

Railways' reservation system to be shut down for 6 hrs from Nov 14 to 21

The Railways' Passenger Reservation System will shut down for six hours during the lean business hours of night for the next seven days, as part efforts to normalise, revert back to pre-covid times.

Railways to revert to pre-Covid regular services, stop special trains

Indian Railways has decided to discontinue special trains and revert to the pre-Covid regular services

Passengers safe as 7 coaches of Bengaluru-bound train derail in Tamil Nadu

Seven coaches of a Bengaluru-bound train derailed near Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu after boulders fell on it but all the 2,000-odd passengers were safe

Railways to be highly profitable in coming 5-6 years: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Railways will be "highly profitable" in coming 5-6 years with its ongoing transformative initiatives, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday.

From PPP to organisational changes, a tight rope walk for Ashwini Vaishnaw

Electrification of 68,155 route kilometre (RKM) broad-gauge railway routes by December 2023 is nearing completion

Indian Railways' 'net-zero' goals hinge on electrification, solar, storage

Hydrogen and Carbon capture technologies are other avenues to achieve goal, which will lead to a reduction of 60 million tonnes of emission a year