Mumbai, March 25: In a significant move for railway passengers, the Ministry of Railways has announced five new reforms aimed at improving ticket cancellation policies and transportation logistics. Central Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled these changes on March 24 in New Delhi as part of the initiative “52 Reforms in 52 Weeks.”
The new rules, set to be implemented between April 1 and April 15, include updated refund policies for ticket cancellations. Passengers cancelling tickets more than 72 hours before departure will incur a minimum charge. If a ticket is cancelled within 24 hours of the train’s departure, a cancellation fee of up to 25% will apply. For cancellations made less than 24 hours but more than eight hours before departure, a 50% refund will be issued. No refunds will be provided for cancellations made less than eight hours before departure.
Additionally, the reforms allow passengers to change their boarding point up to 30 minutes before the train’s departure, a change from the previous policy that restricted such alterations until the train chart was prepared. The reforms also focus on enhancing logistics for salt transportation and improving systems for automobile transport via rail, aiming to reduce road traffic congestion. Furthermore, the quality standards for railway infrastructure, including tracks, bridges, tunnels, and stations, will be maintained to ensure safety and reliability.
These reforms are expected to streamline operations and enhance the overall travel experience for millions of railway passengers across the country.