Vande Bharat operates as distinct passenger service segment with specific fare structure: Vaishnaw
New Delhi (PTI): Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that the Vande Bharat trains operate as a distinct passenger service segment having a specific fare structure and referred to various factors that are taken into consideration before deciding their fare structure.
"While deciding the fare structure of various types of passenger services, due consideration is given to aspects like the cost of service, value of service, type of services/facilities offered, affordability, competition from other competing modes and socio-economic considerations, etc," Vaishnaw recently informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply while responding to questions regarding expenditure on Vande Bharat trains.
"Accordingly, Vande Bharat trains operate as a distinct passenger service segment having a specific fare structure," he added.
According to the minister, Vande Bharat services have been widely accepted across the country, and during 2024-25, their average occupancy was approximately 100 per cent.
Currently, 81 pairs of Vande Bharat train services (chair car) are being operated on the Indian Railways network.
Vaishnaw's statement was in response to DMK MP Malaiyarasan D's questions who wanted to know the total expenditure incurred by the government on the manufacturing and introduction of Vande Bharat trains so far, including funds allocated to the Integral Coach Factory and other production units.
Malaiyarasan also asked whether the government has conducted any assessment regarding passenger demand, affordability of fares and overall performance of these trains since their introduction, and the steps being taken by the government to expand its network to smaller cities.
"Indian Railways (IR) is focused towards providing affordable and good quality service to all sections of society. Taking this initiative forward, IR has indigenously designed and developed the Chair Car and Sleeper version of Semi High-speed Vande Bharat Trainsets for enhanced passenger mobility and better travel experience," Vaishnaw said.
"To set new benchmarks in terms of safe and comfortable journey, these train sets have been provided with modern coaches having advanced safety features and passenger amenities," he added, while providing various facilities available for passengers in the train.
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
