Indian Railways spent Rs 69 lakh to catch rats? Government fact checks

The government on Monday flagged a report which claimed that Indian Railways has spent Rs 69.5 lakh to catch 168 rodents over a period of three years. The Press Information Bureau's fact-checking handle called the report misleading.

The report claimed that between 2020 and 2022 the Lucknow division of Northern Railways spent Rs 69.5 lakh to catch 168 rats, meaning Rs 41,000 per rodent.

Taking to X, PIB labeled the article as misleading. It said that the cost was for the pest control of cockroaches, rodents, bed bugs, mosquitoes, etc. in all coaches maintained at Lucknow Division.

The government said that the cost was for pest control in an average of 25,000 coaches per year, i.e., around Rs 94 per coach per year, or less than Rs 8 per coach per month.

Earlier, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala had attacked the Central government citing the 'misleading' report. 

"Railways spent ₹ Rs 41,000 and 6 days in catching a rat! By spending a total of Rs 69 lakh 40 thousand, 156 rats were caught in 3 years! This is the condition of the Lucknow region alone. All over the country, the 'rats of corruption' are picking people's pockets every day. The country is already watching the 'open plunder' of "Bagad Billo"! Result: Under BJP rule, people are hit by rampant inflation every day. Even the concession given to the elderly in rail fares has been eaten away! Still, he says - 'Neither will I eat nor will I let you eat ..' !" he said.