Marginal rise in train fares from July 1, AC tickets up 2 paise/km

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The new rates mean that fares for non-AC Mail and Express trains will go up by 1 paisa per kilometre, while tickets for AC trains -- like AC Chair Car, AC 3-tier, and First AC -- will rise by 2 paise per kilometre.

For long-distance ordinary second-class travel beyond 500 km, fares will increase by half a paisa per kilometre. However, prices will remain unchanged for short-distance trips under 500 km, suburban trains, and Monthly Season Tickets (MSTs).

Railway officials said the increase is very small. "For example, a 100 km journey will cost just Re 1 more in non-AC and Rs 2 more in AC. This extra income will help the Railways cover costs like fuel, repairs, and infrastructure upgrades," a senior officer told The Tribune.

Alongside the fare changes, Tatkal ticket bookings will also get new security rules.

Starting July 1, Aadhaar will be needed to book Tatkal tickets online. From July 15, passengers will also need to enter an OTP (one-time password) to complete the booking. To stop misuse, agents will not be allowed to book Tatkal tickets in the first 30 minutes after bookings open each day.

This is the first fare hike in several years. Officials said the move is necessary to keep services running smoothly and to support future improvements to the railway network.