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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Three arrested for killing Buddhist woman monk in Himachal
Shimla (PTI): Three people have been arrested for allegedly murdering a Buddhist woman monk in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh nearly a month ago, police said on Friday.
The accused -- Gagan Sharma (23), Vishal (23) and Gaurav Sharma (20), all residents of Mandi -- were arrested on Thursday night, police said.
According to police, the 78-year-old Buddhist woman monk, Orje Shoki, was found murdered in a cave near Sarkidhar village, following which a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to nab the accused.
Mandi Superintendent of Police (SP) Vinod Kumar said that during the investigation, more than 50 suspects were questioned and DNA samples of several suspects were also collected.
After a detailed investigation, the accused were arrested from different locations on Thursday night, he said.
Kumar said all the accused are drug addicts and they committed the crime with the intention of looting the victim, so that they could buy drugs.
Efforts are on to nab two more accused wanted in the case. They will be put behind bars soon, the SP said.
