Ahead of Kumbh, railways withdraws 'Mela Surcharge'

BHUBANESWAR: The railways has discontinued the system of levying 'Mela Surcharge' with effect from December 11. The surcharge used to be levied on passengers during major fairs in the country. The decision was taken by the Railway Board keeping in mind next month's Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. The surcharge was levied during this year's Rath Yatra.
East Coast Railway (ECoR) sources said it imposes this surcharge during Rath Yatra every year.But from now it will not levy this amount. Sources said ECoR had collected around Rs 30 lakh in surcharge during this year's Rath Yatra alone. The surcharge was levied on tickets costing more than Rs 15.
Official sources said the surcharge was levied on out-bound tickets issued from stations like Puri during Rath Yatra. Return tickets to Puri were also taxed.
But this surcharge was not levied on single journey tickets issued from various stations across the country to the place where a fair was being held.
Under the surcharge, Rs 5 and Rs 20 would be levied for second class and sleeper class tickets booked in ordinary and mail or express trains. The ECoR charged Rs 40 for AC Chair Car and AC-3 tier tickets, while it levied Rs 60 and Rs 80 for AC-2 tier and AC First Class tickets.