Indian Railways has introduced significant changes to the cancellation charges for waiting list (WL) and Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) tickets booked via the IRCTC website, providing substantial relief to passengers.
Background of the Change:
The revision was prompted by a complaint from Sunil Kumar Khandelwal, a social and Right to Information activist from Giridih. He highlighted the excessive charges levied on the cancellation of waiting list tickets. For instance, if a waiting ticket priced at Rs 190 was not confirmed, railways would refund only Rs 95, retaining a significant amount as service charges.
New Cancellation Charges:
In response to the complaint, the Indian Railways has now standardized the cancellation fee to Rs 60 per passenger across all waiting list and RAC tickets. This is a significant reduction from the earlier variable and higher charges.
IRCTC’s Response:
The Managing Director of IRCTC responded to Khandelwal’s complaint, stating that the policy and decision-making related to ticket bookings and refunds are the prerogatives of the Indian Railways (Railway Board). IRCTC is obliged to adhere to these guidelines. The MD appreciated Khandelwal’s initiative in raising this issue, which has led to a policy change benefiting passengers nationwide.
Impact of the Change:
This revised policy on cancellation charges is expected to alleviate the financial burden on passengers, making the process of booking and cancelling tickets less costly. This measure is particularly beneficial given the large number of passengers who rely on the railways for travel across India.
Khandelwal was commended for his efforts, and the swift action by the railway administration in addressing the concerns was acknowledged, highlighting a proactive approach towards customer satisfaction and regulatory compliance in railway operations.