Mamata flags off Yuva train for unemployed

Kolkata, Dec 30 : Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday flagged off the first ever 'Yuva' train from Howrah Railway Station. She also flagged off five other trains.

The trains she flagged off are Howrah - New Delhi Weekly Yuva Express, Howrah-Yesvantpur Weekly Duronto Express (Non-Stop), Howrah-Purulia Bi-weekly Express, Kolkata-Bikaner Weekly Express, Sealdah Amritsar Weekly Express and Howrah-Haridwar Express.

2249/2250 Howrah-New Delhi 'Yuva' Express (weekly) will stop at Asansol, Dhanbad, Mugalsarai, Allahabad and Kanpur.

As announced in the Railway Budget 2009-10 by the Railway Minister, the 'Yuva' trains are targeted mainly for the unemployed youths of the country.

The objective is to ensure that the youth and low income groups can travel at low rates between major cities, she said at the inauguration.

The total chargeable fare for Yuva passengers inclusive of all other charges like Reservation Fee, Superfast Train Charge and Development Charge would not exceed Rs.299/- up to a distance of 1500 kms and Rs. 399/- for distance beyond 1500 up to 2500 kms.

Minimum distance for charge will be 100 kms for both Yuva and Non-Yuva passengers. Children of 5 years and above but below 12 years will continue to be charged half fare.

At the function, the Railway Minister also issued a warning to the employees who are deliberately delaying passenger trains because they belonged to the union of rival political group.