Railway Board Chairperson Vinay Mittal has indicated that the passenger fares on Indian railways might have to be increased after the imposition of the fuel surcharge in October this year.

The Railways Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal had earlier announced a hike in fares as part of the union budget after a gap of more than ten years.  The new fares were rolled out form January 21, 2013 across the country.  The minister had estimated that the railways would generate another Rs 6,600 crore from the hike.

Bansal has promised that the railways will not increase fare or charges any further in the coming future.  Bringing relief to the common man, no passenger fare hike has been included in the budget this year.  However, the charges for superfast and tatkal tickets are expected to increase in trains across the country.  About the increase, he said that the increase was due as it came after 12 years.

The plans to increase fares further would generate additional Rs. 1200 crore between January 21 and March 31, 2013, the ministry had said.  The ministry also said that it is not ruling out additional charges for the fright in the country.