(a) the details of `special trains` introduced by the Southern Railways during the last `Sabarimala season`;
(b) the details of the revenue earned during the season and the growth rate in the revenue earned as compared to the `Sabarimala` season (2011-12);
(c) whether the schedule of regular trains gets affected by the introduction of such special trains; and
(d) if so, the details of the revenue lost by railways as a result thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) Southern Railway operated special trains for Sabrimala Season to clear extra rush are as under:-
2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 312 323 365(b) The revenue earned through Sabarimala specials in 2013-14 was Rs. 13.33 Crores as compared to Rs. 6.28 Crores in 2011-12, an increase of 112%. However, introduction of special trains during Sabarimala Season reduces the capacity to run the Freight trains and three goods paths are lost every day apart from taking away goods crew for the running the additional trains. It also results in undue detention of the Freight trains causing loss of revenue which is substantially higher than the revenue earned by running Sabarimala specials.