Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: Railways have hiked the cost of platform tickets to Rs 10 and the new rate have come into effect from today.
The rate of platform ticket has been increased from Rs 5 to Rs 10 per ticket from April 1.
However, till such time the tickets are printed, the existing stock of tickets will be used with the rate corrected with a stamp.
The software is being modified accordingly so that revised rate is collected at the counters.
Additionally, the Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) have been empowered to increase the rate of a platform ticket beyond Rs 10 to regulate rush at platforms during specific occasions like fairs and rallies.
Platforms witness heavy rush during fairs or rallies causing inconvenience to other passengers.
The Railways has also decided to increase the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for booking accommodation in trains from 60 days to 120 days (excluding the date of journey).
Accordingly, from today i.e 1st April 2015 the booking in trains from train originating stations will open and remain available for 120 days. For instance, as on 1.4.2015, for trains leaving on 30th July 2015, the reservation can be obtained for journey commencing on all days between 1.4.2015 upto 30.7.2015.
There will, however, be no change in case of certain day time Express trains like Taj Express, Gomti Express, special trains etc, where lower time limits for advance reservations are at present in force. There will also be no change in the case of the limit of 360 days for foreign tourists.
