A graphic (here, and here) comparing two railway platform tickets is circulating widely on social media platforms. It claims that before 2014, the railway platform ticket was Rs. 3, and now it is Rs. 50. In this article, let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Before 2014, the railway platform ticket was Rs. 3, and now it is Rs. 50.
Fact: According to reports and information available on various railway zone websites, Indian Railways increased the fare of platform tickets from Rs. 3 to Rs. 5 in the year 2012. Later, in the year 2015, Indian Railways further raised the fare of platform tickets to Rs. 10. They also granted additional powers to Divisional Railway Managers to increase the rate of platform tickets beyond Rs. 10 to regulate rush at platforms during specific events such as melas and rallies. During COVID-19, Indian Railways increased the platform ticket fare to Rs. 50 to avoid and control crowds on platforms. Later, Indian Railways rolled back the increased platform ticket price to Rs. 10 after COVID-19. However, according to news reports, certain railway divisions increased platform ticket fares during special occasions and melas like Diwali and Dussehra. Hence, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
In the viral social media graphic, the first ticket is dated 14 December 2011 and the second is dated 17 March 2020. To verify the authenticity of the viral claim, we conducted a relevant keyword search on the internet. This search led us to several news articles published in the year 2020 (here, here, & here). According to these news reports, “Railway Board Chairman VK Yadav stated that instructions have been issued to divisional railway managers to take local decision to increase platform ticket fare to control the crowd at the stations during COVID-19. This decision will be reviewed after the pandemic. Railways issued this clarification after the Rs. 50 platform ticket issued at Pune Junction railway station went viral on social media. Earlier, Congress leader Digvijay Singh had tweeted, stating that under BJP rule, the platform ticket price has increased from Rs. 3 to Rs. 50.
According to a press release by ‘The Press Information Bureau(PIB)’ dated 05 March 2021, the increase in platform ticket prices is a temporary measure. It is a regional activity undertaken by the Railway Administration to control crowds at stations. Platform ticket charges have been increased from time to time over the years to manage station crowding, which is not a new practice. In March 2020, several divisions of the Railways had increased the prices of platform tickets at various stations. However, this increase was later cancelled (for example, Central Zone and ECR). Such temporary extensions are often withdrawn in different areas and during festivals like Chhath pooja, Diwali, or fairs, etc.
We have accessed the circular mentioned in the PIB press release. According to this circular, the Ministry of Railways raised the platform ticket price from Rs. 5 to Rs. 10 in the year 2015. Additionally, the power is delegated to Divisional Railway Managers to increase the rate of platform tickets beyond Rs. 10 to regulate rush at platforms during specific events such as melas and rallies.
Subsequently, we also found several news reports (here, here, & here) stating that platform ticket prices were increased to control crowds on platforms on various occasions. The official press release of South Central Railway (SCR) regarding the increase in platform ticket fares to control unnecessary public movement on platforms during the 2019 Dussehra festival can be viewed here.
During this search, we also found several reports (here, here, & here) stating that the Indian Railways increased the platform ticket price from Rs. 3 to Rs. 5 in the year 2012. A press release regarding the increase in platform ticket fares on Southern Railway can be seen here.
News reports stating that Indian Railways have rolled back the increased platform ticket price to Rs. 10 after COVID-19 can be seen here and here.
Further, we also contacted the office of the Chief Public Relations Officer, South Central Railway (Secunderabad), regarding the price of platform tickets in the zone. They have confirmed that the current price of platform ticket is Rs. 10.
To sum it up, currently, Indian Railways is charging Rs. 10 for platform tickets. The viral graphic shows a platform ticket dating back to 2020 when Indian Railways hiked the fare to control the crowd on platforms during COVID-19.
