Nilgiris mountain train ticket price hiked: Controversy as government logo was concealed
The Nilgiris: The Nilgiri Mountain Rail fare which was shown to be hiked and was operated in the name of the private company TN43 by concealing the government logo has caused a controversy. Condemning this, a resolution has been passed today on behalf of Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam to hold a sit-in protest against the privatisation of the mountain train.
The mountain train service in Coonoor in the Nilgiris district was completely suspended on March 20 due to the coronavirus.
The private company booked the mountain railway from Mettupalayam to Ooty at a cost of ₹2,85,000 and from Ooty to Mettupalayam at a rate of Rs. 2,85,000 for a total of ₹5,70,000.
They decided to run this train only on Saturdays and Sundays. Their service was to run three times a month from the first week of January to March, and to run daily from March 15 to June 15, both in the morning and in the evening as a charter service. ₹4,80,000 was collected from 160 persons at the rate of ₹3000 rupees per person to travel from Mettupalayam to Ooty. Same amount was collected from those going to Ooty from Mettupalayam. In total the private company has collected about ₹9,60,000 and paid ₹4,90,000 to the Southern Railway.
Nataraj, Chairman, Mountain Railway Foundation, said there is no change in the operation of the first class fare from Mettupalayam to Ooty, Ooty to Mettupalayam at Rs. 475 and second class at Rs. 110. He said the train would run as usual after receiving orders from the central government and there would be no change to private and state-run trains as there are about 50 coaches for the Nilgiri Mountain train.
In the past, the railway department had fixed the fare at Rs. 1500 during peak seasons. At present this increase in tariffs by the private sector is very high and it could become uncontrollable during the peak season.”
According to a press release issued by the Salem Divisional Public Relations Officer, he said “mountain trains, which normally run at low fares, would not be canceled and had not been handed over to the private sector. The memorandum also said that the train service, which is usually operated at low fares, will start after getting the approval of the Central Railway Department.”
It is everyone's expectation that this mountain train journey, which has attracted not only the sentiments of the locals but also foreigners, should not become a day dream for the poor people. The rail service was stopped due to COVID-19. People have questioned that won't COVID-19 spread if the railway is run by the private sector now.Another question is - With only two stops from Mettupalayam to Ooty wouldn't the wildlife be harmed by allowing the private sector to park the train in the forest at 11 places and enjoy the scenery? The operation of this mountain train by a private company with various controversies has raised several questions among all.
The mountain train service in Coonoor in the Nilgiris district was completely suspended on March 20 due to the coronavirus.
The private company booked the mountain railway from Mettupalayam to Ooty at a cost of ₹2,85,000 and from Ooty to Mettupalayam at a rate of Rs. 2,85,000 for a total of ₹5,70,000.
They decided to run this train only on Saturdays and Sundays. Their service was to run three times a month from the first week of January to March, and to run daily from March 15 to June 15, both in the morning and in the evening as a charter service. ₹4,80,000 was collected from 160 persons at the rate of ₹3000 rupees per person to travel from Mettupalayam to Ooty. Same amount was collected from those going to Ooty from Mettupalayam. In total the private company has collected about ₹9,60,000 and paid ₹4,90,000 to the Southern Railway.
Nataraj, Chairman, Mountain Railway Foundation, said there is no change in the operation of the first class fare from Mettupalayam to Ooty, Ooty to Mettupalayam at Rs. 475 and second class at Rs. 110. He said the train would run as usual after receiving orders from the central government and there would be no change to private and state-run trains as there are about 50 coaches for the Nilgiri Mountain train.
In the past, the railway department had fixed the fare at Rs. 1500 during peak seasons. At present this increase in tariffs by the private sector is very high and it could become uncontrollable during the peak season.”
According to a press release issued by the Salem Divisional Public Relations Officer, he said “mountain trains, which normally run at low fares, would not be canceled and had not been handed over to the private sector. The memorandum also said that the train service, which is usually operated at low fares, will start after getting the approval of the Central Railway Department.”
It is everyone's expectation that this mountain train journey, which has attracted not only the sentiments of the locals but also foreigners, should not become a day dream for the poor people. The rail service was stopped due to COVID-19. People have questioned that won't COVID-19 spread if the railway is run by the private sector now.Another question is - With only two stops from Mettupalayam to Ooty wouldn't the wildlife be harmed by allowing the private sector to park the train in the forest at 11 places and enjoy the scenery? The operation of this mountain train by a private company with various controversies has raised several questions among all.