Politics · India Bureau
Supreme Court mandates insurance cover for railway counter tickets from October 27
The Supreme Court has directed Indian Railways to extend mandatory insurance coverage to all counter-issued tickets effective October 27, bringing them to parity with online bookings. The Railway Board has been held accountable for implementing the directive.
LSN India ·
In a significant move to protect railway passengers, the Supreme Court has issued orders making insurance coverage compulsory for tickets purchased at railway counters, effective from October 27. The directive aims to standardize passenger protection across all booking channels, ensuring counter ticket holders receive the same insurance benefits as those who book online.
The apex court's order places the responsibility squarely on the Railway Board to ensure full compliance with the new insurance mandate. This marks an important step toward uniform passenger safety protocols across India's railway network, one of the world's largest passenger transportation systems.
The insurance scheme for railway tickets has previously been available for online bookings, providing passengers with coverage against cancellations and travel disruptions. By extending this protection to counter bookings, the court has effectively eliminated the distinction between different modes of ticket purchase, ensuring equitable treatment for all passengers regardless of their booking method.
Railways have been given a clear implementation timeline to incorporate the insurance coverage into their counter-booking systems. The directive underscores the judiciary's focus on consumer protection and passenger safety within the rail transport sector.