To fill vacant seats in trains, the Indian Railways has decided to give discounts of up to 25 percent on ticket fares of select routes. According to an IANS report, the Railways' decision will be applicable in air-conditioned executive class and chair cars of trains like Shatabdi Express, Gatiman Express, Tejas Express, Double Decker and Intercity Express.

Citing a senior Railway Ministry official, the news agency said that a decision to give discounts on passenger fares were taken on Tuesday and a circular was issued by the department to all zonal managers.

Passengers will be given up to 25 percent discount on the base fare in selected trains with less than 50 percent occupancy.

The ultimate decision on the extent of discount and the train route will be decided by the Principal Chief Commercial Manager of the Zonal Railways. Guidelines on making the selection on routes have been given to the zonal managers. The occupancy level of the train route will be estimated using last year's data.

Further, the decision will also take into consideration if the occupancy is low on the whole route or in between two special stations. Competition from road and airways on these routes will also be considered.

The discounted fares may be offered on the whole year, a few months, a few weeks or a few days, as the case may be.

These routes will be identified and informed to the Ministry by the zonal managers by 30 September.