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Mallikarjun Kharge on rail ticket prices hike: Modi govt leaving no opportunity to loot public
Dec-22-2025

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized that the Modi government is leaving no opportunity to loot the common people, pointing out that it has increased rail fares for the second time in just one year, right before the Union budget. 

His remarks came a day after the railway ministry announced a hike in train ticket prices by 1 paise per km for ordinary class beyond a journey of 215 km, and 2 paise per km for non-AC classes of mail/express trains and AC classes of all trains. The Railway Ministry said that the new rates will be effective from December 26. 2025.

Congress president said, ‘The Modi Government is leaving no opportunity to loot the common public. Second railway fare hike in a single year, days before the Union Budget. With no separate Railway Budget, accountability has vanished. Railway ails, as Modi government is busy in fake publicity rather than concrete delivery’. He added that the railway is currently facing a ‘sad saga of neglect and apathy’ under the Modi government.

Raising concerns over passenger safety, Kharge, cited NCRB Report, stating that 2.18 lakh deaths occurred in railway accidents between 2014–2023. He alleged that rail travel had become unsafe and endangering lives. 

On staffing shortages, Congress chief said vacancies were crippling the system. ‘Jobs vacant, future stalled: 3.16 lakh vacancies rot the system. Youth awaits permanent posting, contractual posting on rise,’ he said, citing official reports. He further alleged underutilisation of funds meant for training and human resource development, claiming only 42 per cent utilisation in 2023–24 and 68 per cent till December 2024–25.

Referring to a Parliamentary Standing Committee report, Kharge claimed loco pilots were being denied basic rest breaks, while ambitious infrastructure projects were falling short. He said, Publicity over performance: Under Amrit Bharat, ONLY 1 station has been upgraded against a target of 453’.

Railway Ministry officials said there would be no increase in fares for monthly season tickets of suburban trains or for ordinary class journeys up to 215 km. They added that the increase in fare will fetch Rs 600 crore to the railways till March 31, 2026.

According to the ministry, the previous fare hike implemented in July 2025 has already generated Rs 700 crore in revenue.


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