The Supreme Court has directed Indian Railways to provide insurance coverage for all tickets purchased at railway station counters from October 27, 2026. It warned that the Railway Board would be held directly accountable if the order was not implemented. The direction came as the court raised serious concerns over the progress of key railway safety measures, including the rollout of the Kavach anti-collision system, fencing along railway tracks and the construction of foot overbridges. The bench observed that repeated assurances from railway officials had not translated into meaningful progress on the ground. Want to know more? Read on!
SC Mandates Train Insurance For All Tickets Purchased
According to a report by News 18, a bench of justices, Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan, noted that the authorities had been given sufficient time to develop a system for extending insurance to passengers who purchase tickets offline, including those without access to online booking facilities. On May 11, the Centre had informed the court that it had decided to extend insurance coverage to counter tickets and was working on the necessary arrangements. However, the bench found that the authorities had made little to no progress on the matter.
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The court has now directed the Railways to ensure that all tickets purchased at station counters receive insurance coverage on the same lines as tickets booked online. The arrangement must take effect within two weeks, from October 27. The bench stressed that the order was mandatory and warned that the Railway Board would be directly responsible for any failure to comply.
Supreme Court Shows Disappointment Over Safety Measures
During the hearing, the bench expressed “utter disappointment and displeasure” over the conduct of Railway Ministry officials in a matter concerning public safety. The court observed that railway authorities had repeatedly assured it that they were taking the necessary steps. However, it said these assurances appeared to exist largely on paper, with little evidence of substantial improvements on the ground.
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The bench also questioned the utilisation of funds allocated for passenger safety. It noted that the Railways had not fully utilised budgetary provisions earmarked for specific safety projects, despite the urgent need to prevent accidents and improve passenger safety.
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FAQs
What is covered in railway insurance?
Railway travel insurance (such as the Optional Travel Insurance Scheme provided through IRCTC) covers accidents and untoward incidents occurring from the time of train departure to arrival at the destination, including boarding and de-boarding.
Will I get 100% refund for IRCTC?
You will get a 100% refund on an IRCTC e-ticket only in specific situations where the train or your travel is disrupted by Indian Railways, or if you cancel a waitlisted ticket under specific conditions.
What does train insurance cover?
IRCTC optional train travel insurance costs 45 paise per passenger and covers death, disability, and hospital expenses resulting from train accidents or untoward incidents.
