COONOOR: The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO-declared world heritage site, has come under criticism for the ‘exorbitant fare’ fixed for travel in its special train scheduled to run on Gandhi Jayanthi (October 2) for commemorating the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence.
R Subramaniam, chairman of Nilgiris District Federation of Consumers’ Organisations, told TNIE, “The NMR has announced to run a fully-reserved ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ special train on Gandhi Jayanthi Day to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence. But, its fare is so high that only foreigners and wealthy tourists can travel by that train. Independent India’s common citizens cannot afford to celebrate this ‘Mahotsav’, and the Nilgiri residents will only be mute spectators. Such a scenario will only defeat the idea of celebrating the Independence anniversary.”
