CHENNAI: Taking an express train from Tambaram and Katpadi railway stations may cost more as the railway ministry has decided to levy a station development fee of Rs 25 for sleeper class and Rs 50 for air-conditioned class travellers.
The two stations are among the list of stations that will be redeveloped by Rail Land Development Authority.
The move will add to the burden of the passengers who have to pay multiple fees, apart from fluctuating and varying rates of fares due to numerous classification of services like superfast, AC express or special trains at a time when all concessions have been scrapped, said a few passengers who are part of rail travellers associations in the city.
An official of Southern Railway said that they are yet to decide which stations will be developed, and what charges would be levied. It will be notified separately.” There are multiple programmes for development and redevelopment of railway stations which are being done in phases, he said.
R Pandiaraja, a frequent traveller and RTI activist, said that it could be considered like an indirect hike in fares when implemented.
T Sadagopan, a consumer activist,said, “It is fine for railways to collect the fee but they should first consider doing so after bringing in visible changes at the stations. There have been suggestions and some work is also going on in the last couple of decades to develop MGR Central, Egmore, Ambattur, Thiruninravur, Avadi and others. But we still do not have many amenities at these stations.
“The railway ministry should try to speed these before rushing in to introduce a rule that station development fee can be collected.”
