CHENNAI:
Indian Railways will extend its Optional Travel Insurance Scheme to passengers purchasing reserved tickets at railway reservation counters from October 27, bringing counter bookings under a facility currently available to passengers booking e-tickets through IRCTC.
The move follows a Supreme Court direction to extend travel insurance benefits to passengers buying tickets over the counter. In a directive dated October 24, the Railway Board instructed all zonal railways to make the necessary arrangements to introduce the facility through Passenger Reservation System counters.
Under the scheme, eligible passengers can receive compensation of up to Rs 10 lakh in the event of death or permanent total disability resulting from a covered railway accident or untoward incident. The policy provides compensation of up to Rs 7.5 lakh for permanent partial disability, up to Rs 2 lakh towards hospitalisation expenses for injuries and Rs 10,000 for the transportation of mortal remains, subject to the policy’s terms and conditions.
The insurance cover includes specified injuries and disabilities, including loss of limbs, sight and hearing. Eligible hospitalisation benefits cover medical expenses, diagnostic tests, medicines, surgical procedures and intensive care within the prescribed limits.
Passengers opting for the scheme will have to pay a premium of Rs 45 per person, inclusive of taxes, digitally along with the ticket fare. Reservation staff have been instructed to inform passengers about the availability of the insurance and facilitate their choice.
The Railway Board has directed zonal railways to integrate the existing insurance system with reservation counters so that the facility can be offered to eligible passengers booking tickets in person.
The extension follows the Supreme Court’s intervention in a case concerning railway safety and accident prevention. By making the scheme available at reservation counters, the Railways aims to extend the option of financial protection to passengers who do not book their tickets online.