Maligaon, 18th April, 2020: As part of the various measures taken in the wake of COVID-19 by the Govt. of India, Ministry of Railways also decided to suspend operation of all passenger carrying trains.
Accordingly, passenger trains coming towards N.F. Railway and originating from N.F. Railway was also cancelled till 24-00 hrs of 14.04.2020 during the 1st phase of lockdown. Later the suspension was extended till 24-00 hrs of 03.05.2020 as the lockdown period was also extended.
As crores of passengers travel daily by using railways as their means of transport; suspension of train operation surely created problems. However, to minimise their problem, Railway Ministry immediately changed the refund rules by duly notifying changes in all types of media, so that all section of the people get to know about the changes for their benefit and heavy rush to get refund at ticket counters as well as their concern can be avoided and social distancing can be maintained.
In NFR, during the 1st lockdown period from 24.03.2020 to 14.04.2020 total number of passengers who cancelled their journey ticket was 243939 and the amount refunded to them was approximately Rs. 22.41 Crore.
Similarly, during the 2nd phase of lockdown which started on 15.04.2020 total 123716 passengers cancelled their journey tickets till yesterday (i.e. 17.04.2020) and the amount refunded to them was approximately Rs. 11.40 Crores.
So, till yesterday an amount of Rs. 33.81 Crore was refunded by NFR since the lockdown started on 24th March to 367655 passengers who cancelled their tickets. Yesterday i.e. on 17.04.2020 an amount of Rs.12, 87,993.00 was refunded against cancellation of 1146 E-tickets.
NFR would like to assure all passengers that they need not worry about getting refund, as Ministry of Railways has already decided to give full refund for all ticket for the cancelled trains by amending refund rules.
It may be mentioned here that, freight train operations are being continued 24 x 7 by NFR to ensure the supply essential commodities. Essential staffs of NFR are working day and night to run freight train services throughout its jurisdiction ferrying essential commodities like salt, sugar, food-grains, petroleum products etc for public distribution system.
Moreover NFR is also carrying items like potatoes, milk, vegetables, fertilizers and food-grains transported by private businessmen so that there is no shortage of these commodities in market for the need of common people.
