(a) whether additional surcharge is being charged on rail tickets from poor devotees coming for Kumbh mela;
(b) if so, whether it will cause problems to devotees and incur financial burden on them and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the reasons for not condoning additional surcharge while the Government is spending crores of rupees in the name of Kumbh; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Railways to facilitate devotees coming for Kumbh mela?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 389 BY SHRI NAGENDRA PRATAP SINGH PATEL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 12.12.2018 REGARDING CHARGES IN KUMBH MELA TRAINS
(a) to (d): During major melas where railways have to provide certain facilities like opening of additional booking counters, erection of pilgrim sheds, running of mela specials etc. Mela surcharge was levied in view of the additional expenditure incurred by the railways in providing these facilities. However, this system of levy Mela Surcharge has been discontinued. Further, no pending amount shall be collected for the tickets already booked in advance.
The additional facilities being provided for Kumbh Mela Stations are as under:
1. Establishing extra infrastructure like direction-wise enclosures with additional UTS/PRS counters, also at Sangam area.
2. Additional staff from other divisions of Indian Railways for guidance and facilitating safe departure of devotees.
3. Running of special train-route wise.
4. Signages and enquiry counters at all mela locations including Sangam areas.
5. Announcement through mega mike for right direction, train timings and other important information.
6. Visual display system at all important locations for passenger guidance and convenience.
7. Additional deployment of security staff i.e. RPF, RPSF, GRP and Commercial Staff.
8. Special facilities for drinking water, toilet, catering etc.
9. CCTV arrangement for close monitoring of passenger movement, security etc.
10. Provision of 24x7 Control tower jointly manned by Railways and Civil authorities with hot line facilities at the stations and other strategic locations.
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