Railways has hiked the price of platform ticket across its network to Rs 30 from Rs 10.
As per a fresh notification, along with the platform tickets, local fares have also been hiked from Rs 10 to Rs 30.
The development comes just weeks after Railways reportedly announced a hike in fares of short-distance passenger trains to 'discourage unnecessary travel'.
On Wednesday, the prices of platform ticket at certain key stations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to Rs 50. The move was taken by the Maharashtra government to prevent over-crowding at railway stations during the upcoming summer season in the wake of a pandemic. The new rate for platform tickets came into effect on February 24, 2021, and this will remain effective till June 15 this year.
The Ministry of Railways has termed the hike in platform ticket rates as a "temporary measure" in the interest of the safety of passengers and to prevent overcrowding at stations.
Issuing the clarification, Railways said that regulation and controlling of the crowd at stations is the responsibility of the Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs). "It is a temporary measure and field activity undertaken by the railway administration in the interest of the safety of passengers and to prevent overcrowding at stations," Ministry said in a statement.
"Deterring more persons to visit the station, the platform ticket charges are increased from time to time after assessing the ground situation. The power to change charges of platform tickets has been delegated to DRMs due to field management requirements," it added.
The Ministry said the measure is in practice for many years and is used occasionally as a short-term crowd control measure and "there is nothing new about it."
In February, the Railways had announced the "slight hike" in the ticket fares of short-distance passenger trains to discourage people from unnecessary travel.
(With ANI inputs)