Guwahati, March 23 (MExN): In view of the cancellations of all passenger trains all over Indian Railways due to COVID-19 and subsequent increase in demand for refund against train tickets, the Indian Railways relaxed refund rules.
Indian Railways has decided to relax the extant Refund Rules for PRS counter generated tickets for the months for journey period i.e. from March 21 –June 21 2020, informed an official statement by the North East Frontier Railways.
All passengers whose trains have been cancelled are being advised to avail this opportunity, it said. However, rules for getting refund against E-ticket have not changed as the passenger does not need to come to the Station asking for a refund of the ticket, said the release issued by NFR Chief Public Relations Officer, Subhanan Chanda.
All railway passengers can easily avail of the newly introduced facility if they are in need so that coming to railway stations can be avoided, the release added.
Indian Railways has already announced cancellations of all passenger carrying trains upto March 31 as a precautionary measures to discourage people from undertaking journeys and to encourage social distancing by all for their safety and to restrict the spread of the virus.
Details of modified refund procedures:
CASE 1: Train canceled by Railways for the journey period from March 21-June21
Refund Rules
- Refund across the counter can be taken on submission of the original ticket up to 3 months from the date of the journey. (Instead of the present rule of submission within 3 days / 72 hours).
CASE 2: Train NOT canceled. But, a passenger does NOT want to perform the journey.
Refund Rules
- TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) can be filed and submitted within 3 months from the date of the journey at the station. (Instead of the present rule of submission within 3 days).
- TDR can be submitted to CCO/ CCM Claims office for getting the refund within 60 days of the filing of TDR subject to verification from the Train chart. (Instead of the present rule of submission within 10 days)
- For passengers who want to cancel tickets through 139 can get refunds across the counter within 3 months from the date of the journey. (Instead of the extant rule of up to scheduled departure of the train.)
Source: CPRO, NFR
