Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced five reforms today as part of Indian Railways' commitment to implement 52 reforms in 52 weeks this year in New Delhi.
Speaking to the media in New Delhi, the Minister announced reforms in ticket cancellation and refund rules, changes to train boarding, salt transportation, automobile transportation, and construction quality. Highlighting the reforms in ticket cancellation and refund rules, Mr. Vaishnaw stated that only a minimum flat cancellation charge per passenger will apply to tickets cancelled more than seventy-two hours before the train's departure.
He added that a 25 percent cancellation charge will be levied for tickets cancelled less than seventy-two hours and up to 24 hours before the train departure. Meanwhile, a 50 percent refund will be given for tickets cancelled less than 24 hours and up to eight hours before the train departure. Mr. Vaishnaw said that no refund will be provided if the ticket is cancelled less than eight hours before the scheduled departure. The Railways Minister also announced that counter ticket cancellations can now be done at any railway counter nationwide.
Highlighting the reforms in train boarding, Mr. Vaishnaw stated that the boarding point can now be changed 30 minutes before the train's departure. He added that previously, the boarding point could only be changed before the train's chart preparation.