Indian Railways cancelled all train services in wake of COVID 19

Trains cancelled from 22nd to 31st March 2020

In continuation of measures taken in the wake of COVID-19, Ministry of Railways has decided that all passenger train services on Indian Railways including Premium trains, Mail/Express trains, Passenger trains, Suburban Trains, Kolkata Metro Rail, Konkan Railway shall be cancelled till the 2400 hrs of 31.03.2020. However minimum level of services of suburban trains and Kolkata Metro Rail shall continue upto 2400 hrs of 22.03.2020.

According to press release issued by WR CPRO Shri Ravinder Bhakar, in the light of the ongoing emergency situation due to COVID 19 and the health hazards to the passengers, all passenger carrying train services including suburban trains have been cancelled till 31st March 2020, as per Railway Boards directives. However, the trains which have already commenced their journey, prior to 04.00 hrs of 22.03.2020, will run up to their destinations and adequate arrangements shall be made for the passengers, who have commenced their journey during the travel and at their destinations.

All the UTS and PRS counters on W.Rly shall remain closed till 31.03.2020. There shall be no booking of tickets nor Ticket Refunds during the period. Passengers can however book reserved tickets / claim Refund of E-tickets Online through IRCTC website.

Bhakar further stated that to make it more convenient for passengers in the present scenario, adequate arrangements have been made to facilitate hassle-free refund to passengers affected by train cancellations. Railway Board has relaxed the refund rules for tickets and its period specially to meet the situation and convenience of passengers. Full refund for all cancelled trains will be taken till 21.06.2020 and hence, passengers are requested to refrain from rushing to the counters immediately for refund and maintain social distancing till the pandemic of Corona virus is suitably contained.

The various instances for refund under different circumstances are as under:

CASE 1- Train cancelled by Railways for journey period 21 March – 15 April 2020.
• Refund across counter can be taken on submission of Ticket upto 45 days from date of journey. (Instead of extant rule of 3 hours/72 hours)

CASE 2: Train NOT cancelled. Passenger does NOT want to perform journey.
• TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) can be filed within 30 days from date of journey at the station. (Instead of extant rule of 3 days)
• TDR can be submitted to CCO/ CCM Claims office for getting the refund within 60 days of filing of TDR subject to verification from Train chart. (Instead of extant rule of 10 days)
• For passengers who want cancel ticket through 139 can get refund across the counter within 30 days from date of journey. (Instead of extant rule of upto scheduled departure of the train.)

In addition to the above, there shall be no booking of fresh Parcel traffic during the period. However, movement of goods trains will continue in order to ensure the essential supplies in various parts of the country.