PANJIM: Member of Parliament, Shantaram Naik has urged Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to reduce the exorbitant fares for Vasco-Vailankanni special trains or request the State Government to subsidise the same.
In a letter emailed to Prabhu, Naik said, “The Railway Ministry has started three special trains from Vasco to Vailankanni. One of them left on August 27, while the other two will leave Vasco on September 3 and 9, respectively. However, it is shocking that the fares charged for these journeys on special trains are exorbitant which, devotees, who belong to weaker sections of the society, cannot afford. The fares range from two times to four times. It is strange that the Railway Ministry has not considered this aspect.”
Naik has therefore suggested to the minister that the fares be reduced to the level of fares charged for regular trains along the route and passengers who travelled on the train which left on August 27, be refunded the balance amount.
Alternatively, Naik has suggested that Railway Ministry should request the Goa Government, to subsidise the amount over and above the rate charged for regular train along the route.
He is also of the view that from next year onwards full subsidy be given to the passengers travelling on these special trains, 50 per cent of which should be borne by Centre and 50 per cent by State government.
