New Delhi : Developing cold feet within hours of announcing a steep hike in passenger fares and freight rates, railways on Friday evening put it on hold, saying a decision on the revision will be left to the next government.

The fare hike decision, which raised eyebrows as it came in the midst of Lok Sabha election results, led to a scurry of activities in Rail Bhawan and the Board huddling into a meeting to discuss its fallout. Amid mounting criticism over the timing of the announcement, a red-faced Railways deferred the decision.

Railway minister Mallikarjun Kharge came out with a statement directing the Board to leave the decision on the hike to the new government.

“It is now informed that under the directions of the Minister of Railways Mallikarjun Kharge, the decision on the proposed hike in the freight charges and passenger fares have been kept pended till further advice for placing this proposal before the new government," the statement said.

Railways had earlier on Friday issued a notification effecting hike in both passenger fares and freight rates by 14.2% and 6.5% respectively from 20 May. Also the freight rates saw a flat 5 per cent hike and an additional increase of 1.4 per cent on account of the fuel adjustment component (FAC).The hike under FAC was due since April 2014, according to sources.

This was followed up with the an official press release.

However, a fresh notification was issued, stating that the “revision of fares with effect from 20 May should be pended till further advice."

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