From Saturday, February 21, people travelling on the historic Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) will have to pay slightly higher fares than usual, as the Southern Railway has revised the fare by 5%. Read on to know more about the revised fare.
The New Revised Fare Of Nilgiri Mountain Railway
According to the Indian Express, the fare revision only applies to the base fare of regular trains operating on the route. Other fees, like the reservation charges, surcharges and other additional fees, will remain unchanged. Not only this, but GST will continue to be collected as applicable.
The Mettupalayam to Coonoor second-class ticket will cost ₹200, a rise of ₹10. The new Coonoor to Ooty second-class fare is now ₹160, with an increase of ₹10. This slight increase in base fare is expected to help offset the growing revenue gap while maintaining services on the scenic mountain route.
Also Read: ‘Har Baar Baigan Ki Kyu Maut Hoti Hai’: Onkar Yadav Shares His Feelings For Bihari Food
According to the news portal, the officials stated that tickets already issued at the old rates will remain valid, and passengers will not have to pay any additional difference. The tickets booked on or after February 21 will be issued at the revised fare. The fares of special trains and charter services remain unchanged.
More About Nilgiri Mountain Railway
Currently, around eight regular trips are operated daily, and three types of train services operate on the route. Trains like regular passenger services, special trains that operate during the festive season, and charter trains that are hired for private events like weddings and corporate programmes.
As per the Indian Express, railway officials said the revision became necessary as operating costs have seen a significant rise. Haulage charges between Mettupalayam and Coonoor alone have increased by over 200%. Additionally, maintenance expenses and staff-related costs have also gone up significantly. However, the ticket fares for the regular services had remained unchanged since February 18, 2020.
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is known as one of the most iconic hill railways. Started in 1899, the train continues to be a major attraction for tourists visiting the Nilgiris. Not only this, but UNESCO also designated this train as a World Heritage Site in 2025 as part of the Mountain Railways of India.
Also Read: Odisha’s Strawberries Go Global; 51 Kg Fresh Strawberries Exported To London For The 1st Time
Let us know your thoughts about the revised fare in the comments below!