Indian Railways has recently announced a significant change in its refund policy, leaving many passengers concerned. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), responsible for ticketing and private train operations, has officially discontinued the facility of refunds for train delays in private trains. This decision has sparked widespread discussion among travelers, as it directly impacts their rights and expectations.
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What Has Changed?
Previously, passengers were entitled to claim refunds if their trains were delayed. However, IRCTC has now discontinued this facility for private trains, such as the Tejas Express. While government-operated trains still offer refunds for delays, private train passengers will no longer receive compensation. This change was disclosed in response to a Right to Information (RTI) query, confirming that the refund policy for private trains has been officially terminated as of February 15, 2024.
Impact on IRCTC Passengers
The discontinuation of refunds for private train delays has left many passengers disappointed. IRCTC’s data reveals that between October 4, 2019, and February 16, 2024, approximately ₹26 lakh was compensated to passengers under the train delay refund scheme. In the financial year 2023-24 alone, ₹15.65 lakh was refunded. With this policy change, passengers traveling on private trains like the Tejas Express will no longer be eligible for such compensation, even if their trains are significantly delayed.
Private Trains Operated by IRCTC
Currently, IRCTC operates two private trains under the Indian Railways network: the New Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express, launched on October 4, 2019, and the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Tejas Express, which began operations on January 17, 2020. These trains were introduced to provide a premium travel experience, but the recent policy change has raised concerns about passenger rights and satisfaction.
Refund Statistics Over the Years
Over the years, IRCTC has provided refunds to passengers for train delays. In 2019-20, ₹1.78 lakh was refunded, while no refunds were issued in 2020-21 due to the pandemic. In 2021-22, ₹96,000 was compensated, followed by ₹7.74 lakh in 2022-23. The highest compensation of ₹15.65 lakh was recorded in 2023-24. Despite these figures, the refund facility for private trains has now been discontinued.
Compensation Details
Under the previous policy, passengers were entitled to ₹100 compensation for delays of 1-2 hours and ₹250 for delays of 2-4 hours. If a passenger chose to cancel their ticket due to a delay, the full fare amount was refunded. Additionally, IRCTC ensured that affected passengers received water and food during the delay. Unfortunately, these benefits are no longer available for private train passengers.
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FAQs
1. Why has IRCTC discontinued refunds for private train delays?
IRCTC has not provided a specific reason for discontinuing refunds for private train delays. However, it is speculated that operational and financial considerations may have influenced this decision.
2. Are refunds still available for government-operated trains?
Yes, passengers traveling on government-operated trains are still eligible for refunds in case of delays. The policy change applies only to private trains like the Tejas Express.
The recent policy change by IRCTC has sparked debates about passenger rights and the responsibilities of private train operators. While government-operated trains continue to offer refunds for delays, private train passengers must now adjust to the new reality. As the Indian Railways network evolves, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the overall travel experience.
