Freight rates unchanged

Railway minister Dinesh Trivedi has announced minor increase in fares that would cause the least impact on the common man, even as he kept freight rates on goods traffic unchanged.

Indian Railways, however, expect freight earnings to grow 30.2 per cent and passenger traffic to increase by 5.4 per cent in the 2012-13 financial year.

Gross traffic receipts of the Railways are expected to reach Rs1,32,552 crore, an increase of Rs28,635 crore over the revised estimates of 2011-12.

The Railway budget for 2012-13 proposes a 2 paise per km increase in suburban and ordinary second class travel. For mail, express second class it will be 3 paisa per km; for sleeper class 5 paisa per km; for AC chair car, AC 3 tier and first class 10 paise per km; AC 2 tier 15 paise per km and AC 1st class 30 paise per km.

The Railway budget also proposes a corresponding rationalisation in minimum distance and fare chargeable in various classes.

Under the revised rates, the increase in fares for suburban second class passengers travelling 35 km will be only Rs2.