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.