Lalu proposes 'Garib Rath'

A fully air-conditioned 'Garib Rath' (poor's chariot), to be run on a pilot project basis initially with four pairs of services and fares about 25 per cent lower than the present AC-III tier, was proposed in the Railway Budget on Friday.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav [ Images ], presenting the Rail Budget, has effected no increase in passenger fares and rationalised passenger tariff structure so that the fares of AC-I and AC-II class would be 11.5 times and 6.5 times of the 2nd class respectively.

The reduction in AC-I class fares by 18 per cent and AC/II by 10 per cent in the backdrop of growing competition from low cost airlines was proposed.

The Railway Budget 2006-07