Dinesh Trivedi rebuts Rly fare hike reports

New Delhi, January 31 (ANI): Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi has denied media reports that fares will be hiked in the upcoming annual budget to recover losses and overcome the economic slowdown. Media reports suggest the department is likely to increase passenger fares in AC classes with the hike ranging from 10 to 12 percent or Rs 35 for every 500 km. Trivedi added the modernisation of the railways was important to prevent accidents. The Railway Minister said his priority was to improve the travelling conditions of general classes as it had been neglected over the years. Passenger fares have not been increased for eight years in spite of rising input costs. The fare segment is subsidised at around 160 billion rupees.