Senior Citizens: Preparing to give discount to senior citizens again in the train

New Delhi: In response to a written question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that the concession given to senior citizens by the Railways can be restored soon. In a reply given in the Rajya Sabha, he told that Indian Railways gave a subsidy of Rs 59,837 crore on passenger tickets in 2019-20, which is an average discount of about 53 percent for each person traveling.

It was informed by the Railway Board that a plan is being prepared to give concession in fare to senior citizens. This is being considered by the Railways, this exemption may be different than before. The Standing Committee is working on this. Senior citizens have been advised to give concession in at least sleeper and 3 AC. The parliamentary panel has also recommended restoring the concession on railway tickets to senior citizens.

14,907 crore was achieved this year as against Rs. 13,172 crore in January a year ago. Due to which there has been an improvement of 13 percent as compared to the previous year. In the current financial year, the Railways has earned better than in the last few years. Due to increase in railway earnings, passengers are demanding to restore the concession given to senior citizens in tickets. Let us tell you that before Kovid, the railways used to give 50 to 60 percent discount on the ticket price to senior citizens, but it was discontinued during the Kovid period.

135387 crore income from freight

After the Kovid period, this financial year is proving to be relaxing for the Railways. Railways earned Rs 135387 crore from freight in this financial year till January 2023. Railways has earned 16 percent more freight earnings as compared to the same period last year. Railways achieved freight loading of 1243.46 MT by January 2023.

Earning 16% more this year

According to the information, the freight loading of Indian Railways for the first 10 months of the financial year 2022-23 has crossed the loading and earnings of the same period last year. Railways earned Rs 135387 crore as compared to Rs 117212 crore last year, which is 16 percent higher than the same period last year. This year, an initial freight loading of 134.07 MT has been done during January 2023 as against loading of 129.12 MT in January 22, which is 4% higher than the previous year.