Indian Railways is shaking things up with new cancellation policies for the Vande Bharat sleeper trains, which are set to launch soon. Starting now, if you need to cancel your trip, you should brace for some stricter rules.
According to the Railway Board, if you cancel your confirmed ticket more than 72 hours before departure, you’ll lose 25% of your fare. If you cancel between 72 and 8 hours, that penalty jumps to 50%. Unfortunately, if you cancel within 8 hours of your journey, you won’t see any refund at all. Also, be aware that if you forget to cancel or don’t file a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) online within the time limits, your refund claim will be invalid.
Additionally, this service won’t offer RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets. Passengers will only be able to book specific quotas, including those for women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and duty pass holders. The minimum chargeable distance for these trains is set at 400 km.
In comparison, the recently launched Amrit Bharat-II Express has a minimum chargeable distance of just 200 km, also without RAC options. This reflects a broader trend in Indian Railways to tighten its refund norms as it rolls out more premium long-distance services.
Experts in the travel industry point out that understanding these new rules is crucial for travelers. Recent surveys show that 60% of train passengers are unaware of such changes, which could lead to frustration during travel.
As Indian Railways expands its services, customers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these new policies to avoid any surprises. Keeping informed is always the best strategy for a smoother travel experience.
For further details, you can check the official Indian Railways website here.
