Coronavirus Pandemic: Indian Railways Relaxes Ticket Cancellation And Refund Rules

The national carrier Indian Railways took an unprecedented step in the wake of coronavirus crisis and suspended all its passenger services from March 22 midnight to March 31. Only goods trains would continue to run during this period.

Coronavirus Pandemic: Indian Railways Relaxes Ticket Cancellation And Refund Rules

Further to follow social distancing as well as to avoid unnecessary crowding at railway stations during the current distressed times when number of corona infected cases is on the rise in the country, the behemoth has eased train ticket cancellation as well as refund rules.

As per the railways notified advisory, refund rules stand relaxed and are applicable for travel journey between March 21 and April 15, 2020.

1. All rules concerning e-ticket remain the same and so passenger for refund against train tickets need not visit the station. E-tickets can be cancelled through the online mode.

2. The relaxed rules apply for Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter-generated tickets.

- For trains cancelled by the Indian Railways for travel between March 21 and April 15, the refund against train tickets will be provided across the counter on submission of train ticket up to 45 days from the travel date. In the earlier case, the limit stood at 72 hour, which excludes the day when journey was to take place.

- If the train is not cancelled but the passenger does not wish to travel, a ticket deposit receipt or TDR can be filed within 1 month from the journey data. Earlier the time limit for escalating TDR in such a situation was 3 days.

- The TDR can be filed with CCO or Chief Claims Officer and CCM or Chief Commercial Manager Claims office for receiving the refund within 2 months of TDR filing subject to verification using train chart. Earlier this limit was 10 days.

- Also, for those passengers who wish to cancel train ticket using 139 IVR or SMS service, refund will be provided from across the counter until 30 days from the travel date. In the usual scenario, the limit for the same is up to the scheduled departure of train.

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