CM urges Centre to roll back fare hike; passengers flag concerns
Chennai: Calling Indian Railways "an integral part" of daily life for the poor and middle class, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday urged the Union govt not to hike passenger fares or reduce general class coaches.
"The Indian Railway isn't just a service – it's family," Stalin said in a post on X. "To increase the number of AC coaches, don't cut down general class coaches. Don't raise fares." He added that the hike, set to take effect from July, already dampened public mood and would worsen the burden on households already struggling with rising prices and fuel costs. Passenger associations also voiced concern the same day, warning that reducing affordable travel options would drive more people to unsafe or overcrowded modes of transport.
AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami also opposed the Centre's proposed railway fare hike, calling it unacceptable and demanding its immediate withdrawal. However, he criticised CM Stalin's stance as hypocritical, pointing out that the DMK-led Tamil Nadu govt already burdened middle-class families with multiple tax and tariff hikes. T Sadagopan, a commuter rights activist from Pattabiram, said demand far exceeds supply.
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"The demand for trains is very high, but they haven't increased the number of trains. It's okay to raise fares if services improve," he said. He pointed out that many travellers are forced to book last-minute tickets at higher tatkal or premium tatkal rates and, failing that, turn to costly road transport.
However, some felt the hike was minor and justified. "It was revised only five years ago. The increase is very minimum," said K Baskar of the Railway Passengers' Welfare Association. "Even Chennai–Madurai may not be affected, as the proposal only covers routes above 500 km at one paisa per km."
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