According to reports Indian Railways has decided to increase its freight charges to partially offset mounting losses. The step may help the railways to an extent, but people will have to bear the cascading effect. Since traders will now shell out more to transport food grain, fertilisers, cement, iron ore and coal on trains, they are certain to pass the cost on to consumers. The decision of the railways comes at a time when the entire country is reeling from rising prices. Food inflation is already hovering at 9.2 per cent.