No regular trains before August 15, the Railways said – refunds for train tickets till August 14

Indian Railways will refund the full booking amount of all tickets booked by April 14 for all regular trains. Railways have indicated that regular passenger train services will not be resumed until before August. Currently Rail is running only 230 Mail and Express trains as “special trains”. However, the Railway Ministry has repeatedly said that there is a possibility of more trains operating to meet any demand. Sources said that these could well be branded as “special”.

The Railway Ministry issued a circular to all zones on Monday informing them of the decision to cancel all tickets booked on or before April 14 and generate a full refund of tickets. Railways had allowed advance booking of tickets for 120 days. As per current rules, passengers are not required to cancel tickets if the railway cancels the trains and the automatic return process will begin.

The railway had suspended the advance reservation for regular train services from 15 April, although regular train services were canceled from 25 March. Railway Ministry officials told reporters on Monday that the average booking of special trains currently being operated was 70%. All these special trains currently running are fully reserved. In view of the low demand, the railways have decided to focus more on freight and prepare land for private investment.

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Regular trains of the railway are closed since midnight of 24 March. No trains have been running since May 12, apart from select AC specials and from June 1, 200 special trains. All regular trains are suspended till 30 June. Railway sources say that because of this the railway’s earnings have been reduced by 58 percent. As soon as earnings are low, the railways have started cutting their expenses. Formerly retiring railway officers have been removed. Retirement employees can fall anytime. There are more than 200 retired officers / employees posted in Agra division. They will be replaced by low-paid employees through railway outsourced companies. At the same time, the railway has also ordered reduction in stationery expenses. In the order issued to all railway zones, most of the work of the office has been kept in computer instead of files. Only very important stationery items are asked to buy. Also asked to reduce unnecessary expenses from railway zones