Don’t aggravate people’s pain with train fare hike: CM Stalin to PM Modi
Passenger fares are set to be hiked from July, and the decline in the number of ordinary coaches has "taken away happiness" from the people, Stalin said, who travelled to Katpadi by train from Chennai.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin waves to supporters from a train coach as he heads to Katpadi (X/@mkstalin)
CHENNAI: Criticising the reported AC train fare hike by the BJP-led union government, Chief Minister MK Stalin appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to raise the train fare or reduce the general class coaches to accommodate more AC coaches.
Posting a photograph of his boarding a train to Vellore, Stalin, in a message posted on his ‘X’ handle, said, “Today, when I came to the railway station to travel to Katpadi, I interacted with the people who warmly welcomed me. But the usual enthusiasm and joy were missing. The impending fare hikes from July and the steady reduction of general-class coaches have stolen their happiness.”
“On behalf of the people, I appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw: Please do not reduce the number of general-class coaches in the name of increasing AC coaches. Do not raise train fares either.”
Stating that the Indian Railways was not just a mode of travel for the poor and middle class, but a part of their daily lives, Stalin said, “Already, our middle-class families are struggling under the burden of inflation and the rising cost of essential commodities like gas cylinders. I sincerely request you not to aggravate their worries any further.”
The Chief Minister wrapped up the critique with a parting message that the Indian Railway isn’t just a service – it’s family!
CM opens Rs 197.81 cr hospital in Vellore
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister on Wednesday inaugurated a new seven-storied building of the multi-super speciality hospital constructed at a cost of Rs 197.81 crore on the Government Pentland Hospital campus.
The Chief Minister, who also inaugurated the additional buildings of seven primary health centres in Vellore, distributed house pattas to 21,776 beneficiaries in the state.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan, Minister for Public Works and Highways EV Velu, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma Subramanian and Minister for Handlooms and Textiles R Gandhi, Collector VR Subbulaxmi and Vellore MP DM Kathir Anand.
He also inspected the maternity ward, out-patient (OP) unit and visitors waiting area in the new hospital and also interacted with hospital authorities.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami criticised CM Stalin’s demand to reconsider the railway fare hike as it would affect the public and said that it is like Satan reciting Veda.
Though he was against the fare hike of the railway ticket and appeal the Centre to reconsider it, he was astonished to see the social media post of the CM Stalin, whose government hiked property taxes, registration fee, professional taxes, milk price, and electricity fare, said Palaniswami in a social media post to counter Stalin’s tweet.
