52 train pairs upgraded to superfast category: Minister

New Delhi, April 7 :  A total of 52 pairs of trains have been speeded up and converted into superfast category, Parliament was informed on Friday.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain said that speeding up of trains was a continuous exercise and was done keeping in view the operational feasibility and availability of high speed compatible coaches and high-power locomotives.

The trains are being upgraded under the ‘Mission Raftaar' announced in the Railway Budget 2016-17.

The Minister said the mission envisages increasing the average speed of all non-suburban passenger trains by 25 km per hour in the next five years.

"The fare of superfast trains has not been increased. However, there is a levy of supplementary charge for superfast trains," Gohain added.