Something different has finally happened to the Indian Railways, something harsh though. Yes, it is finally seeing the much needed fare hike for passengers and freight. Much needed? Really? Well, that’s a debatable topic till forever but, it certainly has its good and bad effects. Whether these effects culminate to a good cause, in the longer run? That’s something worth mulling. Let’s see what Sachin Karpe feels about this hike.

Indian Railway is one of the busiest and third largest rail networks in the world, carrying rare commodities to far ends of India. It has suffered a major setback in past few years, owing to non-stop losses incurred by the government of India. A heavily subsidized railway has been running on a tight shoe string budget. This hike is set to get an additional revenue of Rs 8000 crore to the railways, this amount will further be utilized to develop railway infrastructure. A step that will be beneficial for the people in longer run. When Modi said, ‘Be ready to take bitter pills’ he did mean it, feels Sachin Karpe. Indian railways has not seen any substantial fee hike in last decade, that makes it imperative for an increase in fare, factoring the rising cost of transportation and inflation.

This pinch wouldn’t have been so major, had the hike been done in parts over the years. Government has now come to think strategically but not without adequate funds. To be able to attract Foreign investment, it needs to look like a profitable proposition. This can’t happen without funds. Sachin Karpe is of an opinion that this is just the first step towards the betterment of Indian Railways. This hike borne by consumers will come back to benefit them, reiterates Sachin karpe.