India, Jan. 1 -- On the very first day of the year, the government hiked railway fares while it has increased the prices of LPG gas cylinders in a big way and also the cost of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) by 2.6 per cent. The railway has announced a fare hike across its network effective from January 1.

While the suburban commuter have been spared, the fares of ordinary non-AC, non-suburban trains have been increased by 1 paise per km of the journey.The railways also announced a two paise/km hike in fares of mail/express non-AC trains and four paise/km hike in the fares of AC class. The fare hike will also be applicable to premium trains such as Shatabdi, Rajdhani and Duronto.

Ronald D'souza who travels from Virar to Churchgate by first ...