Indian Railways Launches New Scheme to Reduce Festival Season Congestion
To address the heavy passenger rush during the festival season, Indian Railways has introduced an innovative ‘Round Trip Package’ scheme, offering a seamless booking experience for travelers. Announced on Saturday, this experimental initiative provides a 20% discount on the base fare for return journeys when both outbound and return tickets are booked together.
Details of the Round Trip Package Scheme
According to the Ministry of Railways, passengers must adhere to specific conditions to avail of this offer. Both outbound and return journey tickets must be booked simultaneously, with identical passenger details, travel class, origin, and destination for both legs of the journey. Ticket booking under this scheme will commence on August 14.
Applicable Travel Dates and Booking Conditions
The offer applies exclusively to specific travel periods. Outbound journeys must be booked for trains departing between October 13 and October 26 this year. For return journeys, passengers must reserve tickets for trains departing between November 17 and December 1 using the ‘Connecting Journey’ feature. Indian Railways has clarified that the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) does not apply to return journey bookings under this scheme.
Key Terms and Restrictions
The scheme comes with strict conditions. Tickets booked under the Round Trip Package are non-refundable, and no modifications are permitted. The 20% discount applies only to confirmed tickets for both legs of the journey. The offer is available for all train types and classes, except those operating under the Flexi Fare system. Passengers can book tickets online or offline, but both tickets must be booked through the same method. The primary objective of this scheme is to manage festival season crowds and optimize train utilization for both outbound and return journeys, as stated by railway officials.
FAQs
Q: Who can avail of the Indian Railways Round Trip Package discount?
A: Any passenger booking both outbound and return journey tickets simultaneously with identical details (passenger, class, origin, and destination) can avail of the 20% discount on the return fare.
Q: When can I book tickets under this scheme?
A: Ticket booking starts on August 14 for outbound journeys between October 13–26 and return journeys between November 17–December 1.
Q: Are tickets booked under this scheme refundable?
A: No, tickets booked under the Round Trip Package are non-refundable, and no modifications are allowed.
Q: Which trains are eligible for this offer?
A: The offer applies to all train types and classes, except those under the Flexi Fare system.
Q: Can I book tickets online and offline?
A: Yes, tickets can be booked online or offline, but both outbound and return tickets must be booked through the same method.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is based on the official announcement by Indian Railways. Passengers are advised to verify details and conditions on the official Indian Railways website (https://www.irctc.co.in) before booking tickets. The terms of the Round Trip Package, including non-refundable tickets and specific travel dates, are subject to change as per railway policies.
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