Railways hikes fares, extra 1–2 paise per km:Traveling from Bhopal to Delhi will now cost ₹16 more; effective from December 26

Indian Railways has announced a fare hike for long-distance travel. The revised fares will come into effect from December 26, 2025. Passengers traveling more than 215 kilometers will now have to pay an additional 1 to 2 paise per kilometer. The Railways estimates that this change will generate an additional annual revenue of ₹600 crore. However, there has been no change in fares for passengers traveling distances of less than 215 kilometers or for monthly season ticket holders. How much will fares increase in each class? Example: Relief for short routes and season ticket holders Railways have provided relief to millions of passengers travelling on short routes. There will be no fare hike for journeys shorter than 215 kilometres. This means short-distance travel will remain as affordable as before. Additionally, daily commuters will also benefit. There will be no changes in the prices of suburban trains and monthly season tickets (MST), ensuring that millions of passengers travelling by local trains in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai are not burdened. Why did Railways need to raise fares? According to Railway Ministry sources, the fare increase is necessary due to rising operational costs and to fund infrastructure development projects. Railways are continuously working to improve services, introduce new trains, and modernise stations. The additional revenue of ₹600 crore generated from this fare hike will be used for these projects. Railways is the country’s second-largest employer, and maintaining its extensive network involves significant expenditure. ​