Maligaon, January 2 (MExN): Due to violent agitation by protestors against the CAA in various areas within the jurisdiction of NFR which started on December 9, 2019; cumulative loss incurred by NFR crossed Rs. 100 crores till December 30, 2019.
A press release from the NFR mentioned that it not only incurred losses due to damages caused to railway properties but also due to cancellations of passenger trains as well as goods carrying trains to and from NF zone to other zones. The damages caused include burning down of railway stations, damages to railway track, level crossing gates, burning of important communication and other electronic gears.
Total damages caused to railway properties in divisions like Tinsukia, Katihar, Lumding, Rangiya is about Rs. 10 crs. The loss incurred in originating earnings due to loss in passenger earnings is about Rs. 30.13 crs; the loss in freight earnings is about Rs. 63.42 crs while the loss in parcel earnings is about Rs. 5.05 crs from 9th of December till 30th December, 2019. During this period, about 38.86 lacs passenger could not take up their journey in NFR due to cancellations of trains.
While NFR immediately swung into action to restore train services after improvement in law and order situation by introducing manual train operations in some affected portions; the damages caused in other sections are still being repaired, it was added.
Passanger train fares revised
Meanwhile, the NFR also informed that passenger fares of trains have been revised with effect from January 1, 2020.
However there will be no changes in Suburban fare and Season tickets. Moreover, difference of fare (excess fare) will not be collected or charged in the cases of tickets already issued at pre-revised rates. However any new tickets made in trains by TTE or at stations on and after January 1, 2020 will be charged on revised fare.
The last fare revision over Indian Railways was done in 2014-15. Subsequently, there has been a steady up-gradation and expansion of amenities, both off-board and on-board. Indian Railways has continuously endeavoured to augment passenger experience through modernization of coaches and provision of improved facilities over stations like provision of lift, escalators, AC waiting rooms etc. Old model coaches have been replaced by modern LHB model coaches for comfortable journey.
In order to expand passenger amenities and facilities at more and more railway stations and trains, it has become imperative to increase the fare marginally without over burdening any class of passengers. Fast modernization of Indian Railway will be achieved through this fare revision.
Accordingly, Railways has decided to marginally affect an increase in fare only over the non-suburban sections. Keeping the affordability concerns of daily commuters, there shall be no fare hike for passengers over suburban sections and season ticket holders. This class constitutes 66% of total passenger segment over Indian railways. Even for the passengers travelling in Ordinary Non AC Classes, there shall be a marginal increase of 1 paise/PKM (Passenger Kilometer).
The fare revision is as follows: Ordinary Non-AC classes—Fare increase by 01 paisa/per km; Mail/Exp Non-AC classes—Fare increase by 02 paisa/per km; AC classes—Fare increase by 04 paisa/per km; while there is no increase for Suburban fare and Season tickets. The NFR also informed that there shall be no change in charges for reservation fee, superfast surcharge etc.
