Senior Congress leader and Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president Selva Perunthagai has strongly condemned the recent decision by the Indian Railways to increase passenger train fares, urging the Central government to roll back the hike with immediate effect.Addressing the issue on his social media page, Selva Perunthagai called the fare revision âunacceptableâ and argued that it would directly affect the daily lives of ordinary citizens, especially those already struggling with rising costs of living. According to him, the railways has traditionally served as an affordable means of long-distance travel for millions across the country and must remain so rather than turning into a profit-driven service.
Under the revised structure announced by the Ministry of Railways, ticket prices will increase modestly from December 26âwith ordinary class passengers paying an additional 1 paisa per kilometre beyond 215 km and non-AC/AC class travellers incurring a 2 paisa per kilometre hike. The move is aimed at generating extra revenue for the national transporter.
However, Selva Perunthagai emphasised that the increase would further burden middle-class and economically weaker sections already grappling with inflation, unemployment and tax pressures. He particularly highlighted the plight of students, workers, government and private employees, and small traders who rely on rail travel regularly.
He asserted that railways should remain a public service prioritising peopleâs welfare, and not be subjected to frequent fare hikes under the guise of revenue targets. Urging the Centre to reconsider, Selva Perunthagai expressed strong opposition to what he described as a âpeople-unfriendlyâ decision and demanded that it be rescinded without delay.