New Delhi: The Indian Railways has extended the suspension of its passenger services till May 3, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of extension of nationwide lockdown, on Tuesday.
"In continuation are the measures taken in the wake of COVID-19 lockdown it has been decided that all Passenger train services on Indian Railways including Premium trains, Mail/Express trains, passenger trains, suburban trains, Kolkata metro rail, Konkan Railway etc shall continue to remain cancel till 2400 hours of 3rd May, 2020," said Railway official.
However, to ensure the essential supplies in various parts of the country, Indian Railways has decided to continue the movement of goods and parcel trains.Railways has also asked for the cancellation of all Passenger ticket booking. "For the cancelled trains full refund of fares shall be arranged to the passengers," said the order of Indian Railways.
It for the stated that the reservation of train services, as may be warranted in consideration of public safety, keeping in view the emergency situation, shall be announced in due course.
In an official order of railway ministry it has been stated that all counters for booking of railway journey tickets for reserved for unreserved travel at railway station and outside railway station premises shall remain close up to 2400 hours of 3rd May 2020.
Earlier, all passenger services were cancelled till April 14 midnight.
Railways offer full refund for trains cancelled till May 3 and for advance bookings
The Indian Railways also said full refund would automatically be provided to its online customers for trains cancelled up to May 3, while those who have booked at the counters can take refund till July 31.
Customers will also get full refunds of their tickets if they are cancelling their advance bookings for trains not yet cancelled, it said.
It also said that no advance reservation of trains tickets, including e-tickets, will be allowed till further orders. However, facility of online cancellation will remain functional.
"As far as trains cancelled up to May 3 are concerned, refunds would be automatically provided by the railways online to the customers while those who have booked at the counters, refund can be taken up to July 31. Full refund will be given for tickets for the bookings made for the trains cancelled."
"Full refund will also be there for those cancelling the advance bookings of tickets for trains not yet cancelled," the railways said.
(With PTI Inputs)
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