(Image source from: Rail fares to go up})

Be prepared to shell out more as rail fares are likely to get steeper over the next few months.
In a bid to up the revenue of the cash-strapped Indian Railways, the Union Cabinet gave thumbs up to an "independent" tariff body — Rail Tariff Regulatory Authority — for the state-owned transporter. The tariff board will ‘estrange’ passenger fares from political process.

Blame it on Populism followed by ensuing rail ministers, rail fares remained “a political hot potato” - consistent for 10 years until this January. However, with a tariff authority in place, things are likely to change for good now.

This has severely weakened the spine of the railways that ferries 23 million people daily across the country.

The railway ministry will hike the fares and freight charges in October.

AW: Suchorita Dutta