Railways rationalises fares, enhances medical facilities to improve passenger services: Ashwini Vaishnaw
Highlighting recent fare adjustments, the Minister explained that, after a five-year gap, the Railways has implemented minimal rationalisation of ticket charges from July 1, 2025. The average increase across sleeper, 3AC, 2AC, and general classes ranges between 0.5 to 2 paisa per kilometre. No fare hike was made for journeys under 500 km in the general class, and suburban fares and Monthly Season Tickets (MST) remain unchanged.
The Minister noted that Indian Railways continues to offer significant subsidies—Rs.60,466 crore in FY 2023–24, amounting to nearly 45% of total passenger service costs. Concessions remain for persons with disabilities, patients, and students.
The additional revenue generated is being directed towards service improvement, including safety, punctuality, and station redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Services like Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat trains, along with digital platforms such as Rail Madad and UTS Mobile App, are being expanded for better commuter access.
Responding to a separate question from the same MP regarding emergency medical services, the Minister informed that medical boxes equipped with life-saving equipment and oxygen are now available at stations and onboard trains, following Supreme Court directives and AIIMS recommendations.
Frontline railway staff, including ticket examiners and station masters, are receiving regular first-aid training, and emergency contact details of nearby medical facilities are displayed at stations. Ambulance services are being coordinated with state governments and private providers to ensure prompt medical response. These efforts, the Minister said, reaffirm Indian Railways' commitment to passenger welfare and safety.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
Over 1k candidates queue up for 100 nursing posts
Panaji: More than 1,000 candidates from across Goa queued outside the directorate of health services for hours on Monday to try their luck at 100 contractual nursing positions. Interviews started at 10.30am, and several candidates were in line before 6am. Pranali, 25, a nurse in a private hospital in Bicholim, said she was surprised to see so many candidates. 'When I read about job openings, I thought, at the most, there would be 200 or 300 applicants. I didn't expect such a huge number of candidates,' she said. Alisha, 26, who worked at Manipal Hospitals, said, 'I have been here since 7.30am. My interview hasn't happened yet, but I'm tired and hungry. I'm still standing as this job is important to me, ' she said. Candidates were either employed in private hospitals, or unemployed. Many prefer even contract govt jobs due to the better pay package. 'My monthly takeaway is less than Rs 15,000. A govt job, even if contractual, would pay me better,' said Leena Naik, who works at a private hospital at Mapusa. She applied for all govt nursing posts. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24, the unemployment rate of Goa is 8.7%, double the national average of 4.5%, with women having a staggering 16.8% rate of unemployment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Benefits of Trading Bitcoin CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo AAP functionaries were at the scene distributing juice and packaged water bottles to candidates. 'This is the sad state of unemployment in Goa. Candidates came from as far as Canacona for the interview. Half of them returned as they didn't get tokens. Govt must make the job interview process easier, ' said Amit Palekar, Goa AAP president.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
ASF devastates Mizoram, guv urges action
Aizawl: Mizoram governor Gen Vijay Kumar Singh has raised an alarm over the persistent African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak that has wreaked havoc on the state's economy and livelihoods for over four years. In a crucial meeting at the Raj Bhavan, the governor highlighted the animal husbandry & veterinary department's limited capacity to combat the crisis alone, urging for enhanced inter-departmental collaboration and public involvement. The ASF outbreak, first detected in Lungsen village in March 2021, has resulted in the death of 69,411 pigs and the culling of 52,194 more, affecting 11,382 households and causing financial losses estimated at Rs 982.16 crore. Despite disbursing Rs 1,451.915 lakh in compensation and additional funds from the state disaster management & rehabilitation department, ASF remains endemic in Mizoram.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Concerns raised over proposed hosp site at Kushalnagar Fairground
Madikeri: A meeting of members of various organisations was convened in Kushalnagar to discuss the implications of constructing a 100-bed taluk hospital at the Gundurao Extension Fairground within the jurisdiction of Kushalnagar municipality on Monday. The Sri Mahaganapati Temple Committee organised the meeting at the Agricultural Cooperative Society auditorium, drawing over a hundred members attached to various local organisations. The discussions centred around concerns about the proposed hospital, which is likely to disrupt existing fairs, religious events, cultural programmes, sports activities, and public entertainment traditionally held at the site. The meeting assessed various perspectives, including suggestions shared on social media platforms, but there was no opposition to the hospital project itself. Some participants advocated for an alternative location, preferably within town limits. TR Saravanakumar, president of the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society, who is also the director of the temple committee, provided context about the historical significance of the fairground and its previous relocations. The proposed Rs 43 crore hospital project was acknowledged as important for public health. Participants suggested exploring unused lands under public work, forest departments, and irrigation corporation as alternative sites. VP Shashidhar, president of the Kushalnagar Taluk Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee, expressed concern about the hasty allocation of four acres without proper consultation. He emphasised preserving Kushalnagar's heritage and suggested submitting representations to MLAs regarding public concerns. Former zilla panchayat president KP Chandrakala stressed prioritising village welfare over politics and said the matter has to be discussed with the MLA. Temple committee president MK Dinesh chaired the meeting, and VN Vasanthakumar, BK Muthanna, and RK Nagendra Babu were present.
