Odisha Train Accident Highlights Indian Railways' 35 Paise Travel Insurance

In an unfortunate incident, a train accident occurred in Odisha, highlighting the importance of safety and financial protection for railway passengers. To provide some form of insurance coverage, the Indian Railways offers a travel insurance scheme at a minimal cost of 35 paise per passenger.

According to sources, at least 288 people were killed and nearly 1,100 were injured in the quadruple train crash.

Following the recent accident, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw promptly declared an ex-gratia payment scheme. In the event of a passenger's demise, the compensation amount will be Rs 10 lakh. Those who sustained severe injuries will receive Rs 2 lakh, while those with minor injuries will be eligible for Rs 50,000.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the significance of travel insurance. It is noteworthy that passengers booking train tickets through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website or app have the option to avail themselves of travel insurance for a mere 35 paise.

The Indian Railways' travel insurance scheme, offered through IRCTC, provides passengers with coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh in the unfortunate event of death, permanent total disability, or hospitalization resulting from an accident that occurs during their journey.