Railways Offers Full Refund Even On Trains Not Yet Cancelled, Offline Refunds Till 31 July

On Tuesday, the Indian Railways said that it will provide a full refund on cancellation of advance train bookings made till 3 May. For those who had booked tickets online, the refund amount will automatically be credited to their bank accounts used to make the payment towards the booking. Those who had booked tickets at the counters can take refund till 31 July.

Customers will also get full refunds of their tickets if they are cancelling their advance bookings for trains not yet cancelled, it said.

On Tuesday the Indian Railways announced an extension in the suspension of all its passenger trains after Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended nationwide lockdown till 3 May to curb the spread of COVID-19.

It also said that no advance reservation of trains tickets, including e-tickets, will be allowed until further orders. However, the facility of online cancellation will remain functional.

"As far as trains cancelled up to May 3 are concerned, refunds would be automatically provided by the railways online to the customers while those who have booked at the counters, refund can be taken up to July 31."

"Full refund will also be there for those cancelling the advance bookings of tickets for trains not yet cancelled," the railways said.

Further, the Railways Department said that it will not charge any demurrage, wharfage, stacking, stabling, detention and ground usage charges till 3 May for those using its freight services in view of the extension of the lockdown period.