NEW DELHI: Indian Railways significantly expanded its passenger welfare safety net by making optional travel insurance available on tickets purchased directly from physical reservation counters. Previously restricted exclusively to digital reservations made through online ticketing platforms, the insurance facility is now integrated across all physical booking windows.
Under the updated provisions, passengers buying reserved tickets at station counters can opt for substantial accidental insurance coverage by paying a nominal supplementary fee during booking. The policy provides financial compensation in the event of travel-related fatalities, permanent total disability, and critical hospitalization resulting from railway accidents.
Railway administrative authorities stated that the policy change ensures equitable access to financial security for millions of daily commuters who prefer traditional offline counter transactions. The measure is being viewed as an essential consumer-centric reform aimed at standardizing passenger safety benefits across both physical and digital booking channels.
