Special trains: IRCTC Ticket booking, cancellation and other new rules

Indian Railways is all set to commence special train operations from 1st June 2020. According to the railway ministry these special trains will be in addition to the Shramik Special Trains which are operating since 1st May 2020 and AC Special Trains which are operating since 12th May 2020. Other than these all Suburban, Mail/Express and passenger trains will remain suspended due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Here are a ticket booking, cancellation, tatkal tickets, refund and other new rules, you need to know:

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  • Tickets can be booked only through IRCTC mobile application or website.
  • Piyush Goyal, Railway Minister indicated that railway counter for tickets may open at selected stations in the following 2-3 days.
  • The advance booking period will be maximum for a period of 30 days.
  • RAC and Waitlist will be generated.
  • People on waiting list will not be allowed to board the train.
  • Only confirmed passengers are allowed to board the train.
  • UTS ticket will not be issued.
  • Tickets will not be issued onboard to any passenger during the journey.
  • For these train services, Refund of Fare and Cancellation of Ticket rules 2015 will be followed.
  • Compulsory screening for all, only those who are asymptomatic can continue with their journey.
  • Despite of having a confirmed ticket, passengers showing symptoms of COVID-19 during the screening at station will not be allowed to board the train.
  • Travelling on a party ticket, if a person if found unfit to take the train journey then he/she will get a refund on the ticket and other passengers with same PNR (Passenger Name Record) can continue with the journey if they like. If they do not wish to continue they will get a refund on tickets along with the ticket of person found unfit.
  • At the entry/checking/screening point TTE certificates will be issued. This certificate will help in indicating the number of passengers not allowed to travel because of having novel coronavirus symptoms.
  • Online TDR has to be filed for the passengers who are not travelling for refund within 10 days from the date of journey.
  • The original TTE certificate has to bent to IRCTC along with full fare by the passenger who did not continue with the journey. The ticket will be refunded in the customer’s account.

Along with the precautions taken by the Railway Ministry. Passengers need to follow a few guidelines for their own benefit.

  • Passengers need to cover their face with masks at the entry as well as during travel
  • Passengers should reach the station 1 hour 30 minutes prior to the time of train’s departure for thermal screening at the station.
  • Passengers shall follow social distancing in the trains as well as on the station.
  • Passengers will have to abide by the health protocols.

We hope that these measures taken by the Railway Ministry will be effective and will ensure safe and happy journey to passengers.