Following a Supreme Court order, the Indian Railways has expanded its travel insurance scheme to enhance passenger safety and security.
Why it matters: The extension of the travel insurance scheme by Indian Railways is significant for enhancing passenger safety, particularly for those booking tickets offline. It reflects compliance with a Supreme Court directive, highlighting the importance of legal mandates in public service delivery.
Introduction to the News
The Indian Railways has extended its travel insurance scheme to include passengers booking reserved tickets through offline modes, following a Supreme Court directive. This move aims to enhance passenger safety and security.
Details of the Travel Insurance Scheme
Previously available only for online bookings, the optional travel insurance can now be availed by passengers booking tickets at railway counters. The scheme requires a premium of 45 paise per ticket, which is collected digitally. It covers incidents such as death, disability, and hospitalisation due to train accidents, with compensation ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
Background and Implementation
The Supreme Court's order on October 6 prompted this extension to ensure coverage for passengers who rely on counter bookings, particularly those from remote areas. Despite the high percentage of online bookings, the court recognized the need for inclusivity in insurance coverage. The scheme is applicable to confirmed, partly confirmed, and RAC tickets, but excludes certain categories like children below 5 without a berth.
Key facts
- Supreme Court ordered extension of insurance to counter tickets.
- Insurance not applicable for children below 5 without berth.
- Premium of 45 paise per ticket, same as online.
- Insurance covers Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
- Scheme applies to confirmed, partly confirmed, and RAC tickets.
- Over 87% of railway tickets are booked online.
In this story
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