Mumbai: Observing that Union Government has the right to revise the railway fares, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday refused to stay the recent fare hike. The court was hearing two public interest litigations challenging the steep hike.
Former journalist Ketan Tirodkar has filed a PIL challenging hike in suburban train fares for Mumbai, while Mumbai Grahak Panchayat, a consumers' organisation, has filed another PIL which questions the steep rise across the board.
Refusing to stay the hike, the bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka adjourned both PILs till July 3. Advocate Uday Warunjikar, arguing for Mumbai Grahak Panchayat, said generally fares are increased or decreased in the railway budget. "What was the hurry to announce such a steep hike all of a sudden? Why this haste and that too at a short notice?" he asked.
Both PILs had sought a stay to the suburban fare hike which is expected to come into effect from June 25. Tirodkar contended that local trains are lifeline of people of Mumbai metropolitan region as over 70 lakh commuters travel by them every day.
According to the new rates, a Rs 85 monthly season ticket (II Class) will now cost Rs 150, while a Rs 190 monthly pass will be priced at Rs 480. The monthly season pass of Rs 795 for the first class will cost Rs 1,930.
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