Scheduled maintenance on the Thadi–Duvvada stretch will force the cancellation of several express services in late August, while Indian Railways rolls out a modest fare revision and mandates Aadhaar authentication for Tatkal bookings from July 1. These parallel moves underscore a commitment to efficient, equitable travel and sustainable urban connectivity.
The temporary suspension of key services—including trains between Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry, Kakinada Port, Guntur, and Vijayawada on 26, 28 and 30 August—aims to support essential infrastructure upgrades on the East Coast Railway corridor. This maintenance is vital for improving signalling, track safety and long‑term resilience of carbon-efficient rail travel across Andhra Pradesh. Passengers travelling on these dates are urged to replan travel, especially from Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Vijayawada and Guntur. Alternative arrangements or pre‑booking replacement services will help mitigate disruption, although there may be short‑term inconvenience in exchange for enhanced future connectivity. In tandem, Indian Railways is introducing a fare policy effective 1 July, raising fares by just 1 paisa per kilometre for non‑AC mail/express trains, and 2 paise per kilometre for AC classes.
Additionally, second class fares for long‑distance journeys beyond 500 km will incur a minimal 0.5 paisa per km increment. These modest adjustments constitute the first fare revision since the pandemic and are expected to generate additional revenue of around ₹13,000 crore, which will be reinvested into sustainable rail infrastructure and eco‑upgrades. The fare hike is being met with mixed reactions. Some advocacy groups warn it imposes an undue burden on low‑income commuters, particularly the urban poor and seasonal workers. Yet others argue that, if invested in electrification, energy‑efficient systems, and expanded services, the increase is justified. One passenger‑rights representative noted that the hike is small, conditional and tied to systemic improvements . Complementing these changes is a key administrative shift: from 1 July, all Tatkal ticket bookings via IRCTC will require Aadhaar authentication, and from 15 July will mandate OTP verification—even at ticket counters and via agents.
The policy also bans agent bookings during the first 30 minutes of the Tatkal window (10–10:30 am for AC, 11–11:30 am for non‑AC). These measures aim to curb fraud and ensure fair access for genuine passengers. These concurrent initiatives—maintenance‑driven schedule changes, controlled fare modernisation, and enhanced booking protocols—reflect a holistic effort to build inclusive, sustainable travel networks. By reinvesting in green infrastructure and leveraging digital identity safeguards, Indian Railways aligns operational efficiency with carbon‑neutral urban mobility, contributing to equitable city life. For commuters, the immediate impacts lie in August train plans and July’s updated ticketing norms. Yet, in the long term, these steps support greener cities, fair access, and safer journeys across Andhra Pradesh and beyond.
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