In a significant move to enhance passenger convenience, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that passengers who purchase physical tickets from railway counters can now cancel them online through the IRCTC website or by dialing 139. However, they will still need to visit the reservation center to collect the refund amount.
Addressing Passenger Concerns
The announcement was made in response to a query by BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni during a Rajya Sabha session. Kulkarni raised the concern regarding whether passengers holding waitlisted tickets purchased from counters are required to visit the station for cancellations before the train’s departure.
Vaishnaw clarified that under the current regulations, waitlisted PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counter tickets must be canceled directly at the reservation counter. The cancellation must occur within the prescribed time limit, following the guidelines set under the Railway Passengers (Cancellation of Tickets and Refund of Fares) Rules, 2015.
Online Cancellation for Greater Convenience
For tickets that are not waitlisted, passengers can utilize the IRCTC website or call 139 for online cancellation. This streamlined process saves passengers from making unnecessary trips to the railway station. However, to collect the refund, the original PRS counter ticket must still be physically surrendered at the reservation counter.
Vaishnaw emphasized that these provisions are part of the government’s commitment to improving passenger experiences. The Railway Ministry has been continuously working on modernizing services and offering more flexible and accessible solutions for travelers.
Refund Collection Process
While the cancellation itself can now be done from the comfort of a passenger’s home, the refund collection remains a manual process. After completing the online cancellation, passengers are required to visit the nearest railway reservation center to claim their refund. This step is essential to prevent fraudulent claims and ensure that only the rightful ticket holder receives the refund.
Final Thoughts
The introduction of online cancellation for counter-booked tickets is a welcome change that aligns with the government’s digitalization efforts. It offers passengers a hassle-free option to manage their travel plans and reduces unnecessary visits to crowded railway stations. However, further steps to automate refund disbursements directly to bank accounts could further enhance the experience.
Passengers are encouraged to check the IRCTC website or contact 139 for detailed guidelines on ticket cancellation and refund collection.
