Rescheduled travel plans will not cost extra anymore; Indian Railways changes old practice to benefit passengers

NEW DELHI: What to do if the travel date changes after booking a train ticket? Usually, passengers cancel the ticket and get the refund money. The railways charge a hefty amount as cancellation fee when tickets are cancelled in this way. Indian Railways is changing this practice from the beginning of next year.

The new method allows passengers to change the travel date without losing money. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that if passengers have to postpone their journey on the date they booked the ticket, they can change the date online without paying a separate fee. He said this while talking to the national media. However, to ensure that passengers get the ticket while changing the date, they will have to ensure the availability of the ticket on the rescheduled booking date.

The Union Minister said that the new change is made after realising that the current practice of charging a large amount for cancelled tickets is not acceptable to passengers. According to the current cancellation law, a 25% cancellation charge is deducted if a confirmed ticket is cancelled between 48 hours and 12 hours before the scheduled train departure. The charge is higher for cancellations between 12 and 4 hours before departure. Online cancellation of Indian Railways e-tickets is not allowed after the reservation chart is prepared.