Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu refused to answer any questions and instead, scolded the media persons. Photo: PTI

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu's personal assistant, on seeing a camera unit of India Today at the Sadhana building (Prabhu's residence) in Mumbai, said, "The Minister might get angry after seeing you here." He said Prabhu does not like surprises, especially from news channels asking uncomfortable questions.

The Rail Ministry, on Wednesday, had dropped a fare bomb on all those passengers travelling by Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains. Under a dynamic surge pricing system to be introduced from September 9, train passengers will now have to shell out between 10 and 50 per cent more from their pockets.

Also Read: Surge pricing for Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains from Friday: Here's how it affects you



The uncomfortable questions for the Rail Minister were, thus, unavoidable.

And it happened exactly what Prabhu's personal assistant had warned of.

'DID I CALL YOU,' ASKS SURESH PRABHU

When the Railway Minister stepped out of his residence and saw India Today media persons asking questions, his face turned red. He angrily said, "Did I call you?".

Prabhu did not stop at this. He pulled down his car's mirror and told the journalist, " Ask your senior, is this how a minister is questioned?".

The journalist replied, "We will definitely convey your message to the senior journalist of the news channel, but still the country would like to know why the fares were hiked. Even the senior journalist would like to know."

The Railway Minister did not answer and went straight ahead, probably angrier this time.

Sources say the railway is aiming at raking in Rs 500 crore more during the current financial year with the implementation of this pricing system.

Also Read: Surge pricing in railways has passengers divided

'IF THIS IS HOW A MINISTER BEHAVES WITH THE MEDIA, IMAGINE HOW CENTRE BEHAVES WITH PEOPLE'

While 10 per cent of the seats will be sold in the normal fare in the beginning, it will go on increasing by 10 per cent with every 10 per cent of berths sold with a ceiling of 50 per cent.

Rajiv Singhal, senior member of DRUCC (railway association) told India Today, "The Rail Minister has become a baniyaa. If a passenger is getting a return air ticket at around Rs 4500-5000 for Mumbai-Delhi route, then why he/she would travel in Rajdhani, paying almost the same price."

Singhal criticised the behaviour of Prabhu with media.

He said, "If this is how a minister behaves with the media who is just a messenger to the people of this country, then imagine how the Centre must be treating the common man. Prabhu has to come forward and explain to the people why fares were hiked."

Modelled on the dynamic fare system in vogue in the aviation sector, the flexi fare system will be introduced on experimental basis in II AC, III AC and chair car in the three trains besides sleeper class in the Duronto trains.

There is a total of 42 Rajdhani trains, 46 Shatabdi and 54 Duronto trains and the Railway Ministry expect to garner about Rs 500 crore from the new fare structure in these trains.

Also Read:

Suresh Prabhu launches grievance redressal portal for railway employees

Congress, Left raise chorus for roll back of surge pricing in rail tickets

