In a huge shock to passengers and travelers, Indian Railways has increased platform ticket price in Pune by whooping 400%.
When people started sharing this on Twitter, Indian Railways had to come out and clarify,
What is happening here?
Indian Railways Hikes Platform Ticket Price By 400%
Normally, all across India, platform tickets cost Rs 10.
But since yesterday, Indian Railways authorities in Pune decided to hike its price by 400%, and made it Rs 50.
This massive increase in platform ticket cost shocked and surprised travellers and passengers, and they started sharing images of the same.
Political leaders too jumped in, and a very Senior Congress leader from Madhya Pradesh shared how platform tickets were priced Rs 3 in 2011, which is now Rs 50.
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said, “Rs 3 railway platform ticket in Congress raj has become Rs 50 under BJP raj,”
Clearly, a political angle was attempted here, and Indian Railways had to explain the reason.
This Is Why Platform Ticket Price Was Raised
After hundreds of tweets and images were shared on social media, Indian Railways came out and explained that the reason behind this 400% hike.
As per Indian Railways, Pune Division decided to increase platform ticket price to deter people from coming to railways station without any purpose.
It seems that several people from Pune enter railway station just for time-pass, and nothing else, since it takes just Rs 10 to enter the premises.
But since the platform ticket price has been increased to Rs 50 now, less people will come to station, and this will ensure that social distancing is being followed.
A spokesperson from Indian Railways said, “The objective of Pune junction pricing the platform ticket at Rs 50 is to stop those who unnecessarily come to the station so that social distancing can be followed. Railways have been controlling the platform ticket rates in this way through the start of the corona pandemic,”
It seems that the platform ticket price will be brought down once pandemic ends.
We will keep you updated, as more details come in