(Image source from: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

Indian Railways to Levy User Charges to Redevelop the Stations:- Indian Railways which suffered massive losses because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has been running selected trains across the major routes. Indian Railways is all set to introduce user charges in around 1050 stations across the country to generate revenue and also provide better facilities for the passengers during this coronavirus pandemic season. The redevelopment of the railway stations is considered under a public and private partnership but the Indian Railways decided to levy user charges on the passengers. NITI Aayog chief executive officer Amitabh Kant said that their target is to offer 50 stations for redevelopment by the end of 2021.

The user charges would be affordable and the response has been overwhelming said Amitabh Kant during a virtual press conference. The user charges applicable would be between 10 and 15 percent. They are a token amount that will be used to improve the facilities for the passengers in the railway stations across the country. If there is a need to levy user charges, it will go to Indian Railways. The value of the benefits will depend on the user charges collected in the respective railway station as per the update. Along with the revenue generation, the user charges will regulate the non-passenger traffic in the railway stations and will reduce the unnecessary traffic.