New Delhi: In the first hike in ten years, Union Railways Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on Wednesday increased passenger fares by upto 20 percent across the board.

The new fare will be effective from January 21 midnight. Indian Railways is looking to raise Rs 6,600 crore through the fare hike.

The Rail Minister said that extra revenue earned through the fare hike will be used to maintain cleanliness and safety. He also said that the Railways is making efforts to meet safety requirements. The minister added that there will be no fresh fare hike in the Rail Budget.

As per the new fare chart, following changes have been made in the passenger fare:

2nd class ordinary suburban- 2 paise per Km

2 class ordinary non suburban- 3 paise per Km

2nd class mail express train- 4 paise per Km

Sleeper class- 6 paise per Km

Ac chair car- 10 paise per Km

Ac 2 tier- 15 paise hiked earlier and additional 6 paise now

Ac first class- 10 paise per Km hiked earlier, in addition 3 paise per Km now

AC first class executive class- 30 paise hiked earlier and now 10 paise per km