Poll special trains not ruled out

Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha told the Lok Sabha that running of such trains is “demand driven.”  “We will keep in mind the suggestion of the member,” he said responding to a supplementary. 

Though the question did not specify the purpose an ‘election special’ train would serve, there have been demands to run such trains to various parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to allow voters of these states working elsewhere to reach their native places to vote in Lok Sabha and assembly polls. 

Several people from these states prefer not to change their constituencies when they go elsewhere to work.  Responding to another question, Sinha said while Antodaya train will be run on regular fare, the Tejas and Hamsafar trains will have ‘dynamic pricing’.

As many as 4,969 complaints regarding catering services in long distance and premium trains were lodged last year and a series of action including termination of contracts have been taken, Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.