Vaishnaw was in Ahmedabad to review the progress of the ongoing bullet train project among other things.
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Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed demands to reinstate pre-Covid fare concessions for senior citizens and media persons, stating that every train passenger already receives a 55% concession on their journey. Without giving any direct reply to questions by media persons on the restoration of concessions, Vaishnaw, during a visit to Ahmedabad to oversee the bullet train project’s progress, said that the Indian Railways is already offering 55% concession on fares to each passenger.
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Vaishnaw was in Ahmedabad to review the progress of the ongoing bullet train project among other things.
How much concession was given earlier?
Prior to the March 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, the Railways granted a 50% fare concession to senior citizens and government-accredited journalists. Despite the full resumption of railway operations in June 2022, these concessions were not reinstated, leading to discussions and debates on various platforms, including in parliament.
Vaishnaw consistently maintained this stance in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha when questioned by fellow parliamentarians. During a press briefing in Ahmedabad, he clarified that if a train ticket to a destination costs Rs 100, Railway is charging only Rs 45. It is giving Rs 55 concession. In response to an RTI application, the Indian Railways disclosed earning approximately Rs 2,242 crore from around 15 crore senior citizens during the financial year 2022-23.
(With PTI inputs)
