New Delhi | Several members in Lok Sabha on Monday urged the government to restore the 50 per cent concession in train fares given to senior citizens and journalists that was discontinued during the Covid pandemic.
Initiating the debate on the demands for grants for the Ministry of Railways, Congress leader Tariq Anwar said the decision to suspend the train fare concession had caused severe disappointment to the affected people, especially the elderly.
"I urge the railway minister to clarify when the concessions given in the train tickets to the senior citizens will be restored," he said.
A similar demand was also made by Trinamool Congress member June Maliah, who urged the government to restore the concessions in train fares to senior citizens, journalists and cultural activists as early as possible.
"These concessions are gestures of respect for individuals who contribute to the social, cultural and democratic life of our country," Maliah said.
Before the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, the Indian Railways offered a 50 per cent concession on train fares to senior citizens and government-accredited journalists.
A parliamentary standing committee in 2023 had recommended the resumption of the fare concession offered to senior citizens by the railways before the coronavirus pandemic.
The concessions were granted in fares of all classes of Mail/Express/Rajdhani/ Shatabdi/Duranto group of trains but were withdrawn on March 20, 2020.
Senior citizens in the category of males and transgender individuals were entitled to a 40 per cent concession and 50 per cent for female senior citizens.
Accredited journalists enjoyed a 50 per cent concession, which was further extended twice a year to their spouses/companions and children up to 18 years of age.
In his speech, Anwar said there has been a decrease in the revenue of the railways, while funds allocated to the Kavach, the indigenously developed automatic train protection system designed to prevent train accidents, were "insufficient".
The Congress MP said that Rs 12,000 crore is being allocated annually for the upgradation of train stations, but the work on the projects is not up to the mark and cited the example of the Gomti Nagar station in Lucknow.
He claimed that the upgradation of the railway track was unsatisfactory and that there had been slow progress in the implementation of the Amrit Bharat Station scheme.
Maliah, in her speech, alleged that there has been an uneven allocation of budget to West Bengal compared to the other states. She said the development must reach all parts of the country, not just one region or a state ruled by one party.
The Trinamool Congress MP said some of the busiest train stations are located in West Bengal where millions travel, but these stations need upgradation and development.
Maliah also raised the issue of the safety of the railway network, saying it must remain a priority and adequate attention must be given to it.
She also spoke about "financial irregularities" to the tune of Rs 543 crore, "flagged" by the CAG in the railways.
JD(U) MP Kaushalendra Kumar said the government should consider restoring the concessions for senior citizens and journalists.
Kumar also urged the government to increase the number of sleeper coaches, which were reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, so that people from the poor section of society can also travel with ease.
Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena (UBT) said that given the pressure on the Konkan track, the government should consider doubling the rail line.
He also urged the government to put a statue of Shivaji Maharaj at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
Participating in the debate, BJP member Ganesh Singh appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for bringing all-around development to the railways.
He said new technology has been introduced, many steps have been taken to bring comfort to passengers, work on bullet trains has been going on speedily, while there has been a "revolution" in logistics operations.
Singh said the inauguration of the Udhampur-Baramulla railway line in Jammu and Kashmir was a big leap in connectivity and the Chenab bridge, which is a vital part of the line, is an engineering marvel.
The BJP MP said the Vande Bharat trains have brought ease in travel, speed and comfort to the passengers. He said that with the implementation of 'Kavach', the safety of train travel has increased manifold.
Singh said due to various safety measures, there has been a 95 per cent decrease in accidents in trains.
He said additional funds have been allocated for the expansion of the railway network in the Northeast.
Funds allocated to the Northeast now are five times more than what was allocated during the UPA regime, he said.
Singh also mentioned about the plans to construct a railway tunnel in the Siliguri corridor to ensure uninterrupted train communication to the Northeast.
