New Delhi, Dec 22 (PTI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday accused the Modi government of “leaving no opportunity to loot the common people”, alleging that railway fares have been raised for the second time in a year just ahead of the Union Budget.
The Railway Ministry on Sunday announced an increase in train ticket prices, with fares rising by 1 paise per kilometre for ordinary class travel beyond 215 km, and by 2 paise per kilometre for non-AC classes of mail and express trains as well as AC classes across all trains.
In a post on X, Kharge said the railways has witnessed a “sad saga of neglect and apathy” under the Modi government. He alleged that with the merger of the Railway Budget into the Union Budget, accountability has weakened.
“The Modi government is leaving no opportunity to loot the common public. This is the second railway fare hike in a single year, just days before the Union Budget,” Kharge said in his Hindi post.
He claimed that while the condition of the railways is deteriorating, the government is focused on publicity rather than delivery. Citing data, Kharge said 2.18 lakh people died in railway accidents between 2014 and 2023, according to the National Crime Records Bureau, and alleged that safety has been compromised.
Referring to the anti-collision system Kavach, the Congress chief said it has been promoted aggressively but implemented poorly, claiming it covers less than 3 per cent of routes and less than 1 per cent of locomotives. He also flagged staff shortages, alleging that 3.16 lakh vacancies remain unfilled, while contractual appointments are increasing and regular recruitment is lagging.
Kharge further claimed that funds allocated for training and human resource development are being underutilised, and that loco pilots are being denied basic rest breaks, citing a Parliamentary Standing Committee report. He also alleged slow progress under the Amrit Bharat station redevelopment programme, claiming only one station has been upgraded against a target of 453.
Accusing the government of prioritising optics over outcomes, Kharge cited reported losses of Rs 2,604 crore, the withdrawal of senior citizen concessions, and what he described as a gap between projected and actual speeds of Vande Bharat trains.
“Under the Modi government, the railways faces neglect, apathy and exaggerated claims,” he alleged.
The Railway Ministry has said the revised fares will come into effect from December 26, 2025. Officials clarified that there is no increase in monthly season tickets of suburban trains and no fare hike for ordinary class journeys up to 215 km. The fare revision is expected to generate Rs 600 crore in additional revenue till March 31, 2026.
According to the ministry, the previous fare hike in July 2025 has already generated Rs 700 crore in revenue. PTI SKC DIV DIV
Category: Breaking News
SEO Tags: #swadesi, #News, Modi govt leaving no opportunity to loot public: Kharge on rail ticket prices hike