Superfast trains running late, not paying surcharge: CAG

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) today questioned the overloading of passengers in superfast trains and told the Indian Railways that if the superfast train does not run on time, then the surcharge should be returned to the passengers. According to a report tabled in both Houses of Parliament yesterday, as per the existing guidelines of the Railways, when air conditioners are not functioning in the AC coaches, the difference between the fare of AC and non-AC tickets is returned to the passengers.

However, no such provision is available for the superfast trains. As per the Railways, if a train is running at a speed of 55 km per hour on broad gauge line or 45 km per hour on meter gauge line, then it comes under the category of superfast train. According to the CAG report, 11 Superfast trains out of 36 under the North Central Railway and 10 out of 70 South Central Railway superfast trains reported delay of 13.48 per cent at the initial stations and 95.17 per day delay at the destination station.

It was found in the report that these Superfast trains ran late on 5599 days out of 16804 days, in which these trains did not meet the norms running at an average speed of 55 km per hour in 3000 days. The Agra Cantt 12319 Express train leaving from Kolkata reported delay of 95 per cent and 12404 Jaipur Allahabad Express reached its destination causing a delay of of 68 per cent.

Similarly, the 12034 Shatabdi Express, recorded 25 per cent delay. The CAG found that during the days of not following the standard of Superfast train with the above trains, Rs 11.17 crore were collected as superfast surcharge. According to the report tabled in Parliament, the Railways has been asked for returning the surcharge fare to the passengers, but it has not replied, so far.