NEW DELHI: Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan on Sunday criticised the Union government over the increase in railway fares, saying the Centre might just change the name of railways if asked the reason behind the move, claiming it would further burden the middle and lower middle class even before the Union budget is presented. Ranjan said the timing of the fare hike was particularly concerning. “The budget has not yet been announced, and the government has already started pushing people towards higher costs,” she said, alleging that the increase would significantly impact long-distance travellers. Referring to the revision, the Congress MP said, “They have increased Rs 10 per 500 km, so you have pushed people to pay Rs 100-200 more for long distance travel.” She added that train travel remained the primary mode of transport for middle- and lower middle-class families, who would now have to bear higher expenses.She also drew comparisons with rising costs in other modes of transport. “On one hand you’re collecting exorbitant tolls if we travel by road, airfares are increasing from Rs 5000 to Rs 30000 directly, in the festive season fairs skyrocket,” she said.Questioning the government’s messaging on affordability, she added, “On the other hand they were saying the middle class will also travel by plane, now that you have increased even the railways fair that middle class is thinking where should they go?”Accusing the government of placing undue financial pressure on citizens, Ranjan said, “The government is ripping people apart.” She also made a sarcastic remark on policy priorities, saying, “It would not be surprising if they change the name of the railway in the future and say the name has been changed, be happy with it and the increased fare.”The comments come amid broader opposition criticism over rising travel costs and inflationary pressures affecting household budgets.
