In Lok Sabha Grants Debate, MPs Press for Return of Rail Fare Concessions

Overview

• Across parties, MPs urged the government to reinstate pre-pandemic fare relief for senior citizens and accredited journalists, with Congress leader Tariq Anwar seeking a clear timetable for restoration.
• Before the March 20, 2020 suspension, senior men and transgender passengers received a 40% discount, senior women 50%, and accredited journalists 50% across Mail, Express and premium trains, and a 2023 parliamentary panel had recommended resuming the senior-citizen benefit.
• Anwar said funding for the Kavach automatic train protection system is insufficient and flagged slow or subpar station upgrades under the Amrit Bharat scheme, citing Gomti Nagar in Lucknow.
• Trinamool Congress MP June Maliah alleged uneven allocations to West Bengal and referenced Rs 543 crore in railways irregularities flagged by the CAG, while JD(U) MP Kaushalendra Kumar sought the return of sleeper coaches reduced during the pandemic.
• BJP MP Ganesh Singh defended the record on modernization, highlighting Vande Bharat trains, bullet-train work, the Udhampur–Baramulla line and Chenab bridge, increased Northeast funding and a claimed sharp drop in accidents linked to safety measures.