New Delhi: Even as Indian Railways rolls out reforms at various stages to cut the flab and make itself more efficient, certain systemic changes have not gone down well with the passengers/commuters. Recently, a person posted picture of platform ticket, being raised to Rs 50/-, it got circulated widely on FB/WhatsApp. But, the assertion with this went viral was wrong and misleading.
Viral Claim
Recently, a message started circulating in WhatsApp group that Indian Railways was government owned but now in NDA govt, it has been privatized. And, it is because of this, the rate of platform tickets have been raised from Rs 3 to Rs 50.
A Facebook Post was also circulating on Facebook with the similar claim. It said the common people are bearing the brunt of privatization as they have pay extra money for the same services. FB post was shared by a person named Pervez Ahmad Khan.
Investigation
Newsroompost did some research, spoke to concerned officials to check whether the claim of Rs 50 platform ticket at Pune Railway station has any basis. We came across a tweet statement by Spokesperson of the Railways, confirming that the rates have been increased to Rs 50 but this was to dissuade people from visiting platforms and thus facilitating social distancing there.
It also said that this is a routine practice by Railways during times of any epidemic outbreak.
Further checking, we also came across a statement by none other than Railway Minister Piyush Goyal who categorically stated that there is no plan to privatise the public career. He said that on some routes, private players have been allowed to operate but this is to increase productivity and add more chances of employment generation.
Conclusion:
There is no truth in ‘Railways privatisation’ claim and thus it falls flat. There is indeed hike in platform ticket prices at Pune railway station but it’s temporary and has no connect with privatization claim.
