Despite the 20 per cent hike in freight charges and a partial increase in passenger fares, railway earnings have fallen short by Rs 815.38 crore against the target of Rs 10,268.22 crore in April this year.
Railways have earned Rs 9452.84 crore in April, registering a decrease of 7.94 per cent.
Railways had increased freight charges by 20 per cent before the Railway Budget. Passenger fares increased by 15 paisa per km for AC 2 and 30 paisa per km for AC 1 from April.
Platform tickets will also cost Rs 5 now.
While the Railways failed to meet the earnings target, its working expenses has exceeded the budget provision during April.
According to the monthly evaluation report, railways’ working expenses was Rs 9631.39 crore as against the budget provision of Rs 9343.68 crore which is Rs 287.71 crore higher than the provision.
Railways earned Rs 6726.40 crore from freight as against the target of Rs 7077.02 crore for April this year, falling short of Rs 350.62 crore, a decrease of 4.95 per cent.
Railways also registered a negative growth of 15.57 per cent in the passenger earnings section as the national transporter could earn only Rs 2355.74 crore against the target of Rs 2790.19 crore in the first month of the current fiscal.