Railways increases Tatkal charges; to be applied starting December 25

In what can be called a back-door fare hike, the railways has increased Tatkal charges from December 25.

The increase, from Rs 5 in the Reserved Second Sitting to Rs 100 in the highest Executive category, is expected to raise railway coffers substantially. This is because several special trains run on Suvidha charges which are based on multiples of Tatkal charges.

"Every train has a fairly big chunk of tickets kept aside for Tatkal which means revenues of the railways will increase, and it will also pinch the pockets of the passengers," agreed railway officials.