Dimapur, April 23 (EMN): The Indian Railways have recently launched the “citizen’s charter for passenger services” as a part of its commitment towards making the passenger services more efficient, effective, accountable, responsive, transparent and ethical to its customers.
A press release issued by the NF Railways n Maligaon on April 23 mentioned that the citizen’s charter for passenger services defines the rights of rail passengers.
Indian Railways is said to be the fourth largest rail network in the world. It runs nearly 21000 trains, including 13000 passenger trains that carry more than 23 million passengers daily.
Provision of passenger amenities and convenience in travel for such a huge customer interface is one of the most important objectives of Indian Railways, both in terms of business ethics as well as social obligation. As part of the charter endeavour, the following services to passenger are said to be provided by the Indian railways:
-Safe and dependable train services
-Courteous and customer friendly services
-Adequate level of passenger amenities in trains and stations
-Clean and environment friendly atmosphere in trains and railway stations
-Notify standards of various services wherever possible
-Responsive and effective grievance redressal machinery at various levels
-Requisite amenities to females, senior citizens and disabled passenger
In matters of ticketing and its sale, endeavour will be made to provide user friendly options to avail railway tickets for performing rail journey. Computerised reservation facilities to be provided at stations with a workload of 75 reservation related transactions. Alternative modes of payment like cash, credit/debit card, banking, e-wallets, Unified Payment Interface (UPI)/Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) etc will be provided to customers apart from providing adequate numbers of ticket windows / counters to ensure reduction in waiting time, the release stated.
While for getting refund of ticket fare by cancellation within the permissible time limit more passenger friendly options is said to be provided.
Presently, tickets can be cancelled across the ticket counters, IRCTC website and through 139. In case the ticket is cancelled through 139 or IRCTC, refund amount can be collected on surrendering of the original ticket across the reservation counter within the prescribed time limit. For ticket purchased from PRS counter, refunds would be made across the counter provided ticket is surrendered within the specified time limit. For online cancellation of tickets, refund amount would be credited to the customer’s account within 5 working days and for tickets purchased on credit / debit card using POS machines the refund will be provided within 7 days.
In matters related to catering, Indian Railway is said to provide catering services through mobile and static unit. Passengers travelling on train are also said to have options to avail food of their choice through e-catering services by booking through on line on www.irctc.co.in and over phone by calling 1323.
The menu and price list for items approved to be sold can also be seen at IRCTC website
For maintenance of cleanliness, every effort will be made to keep the railway premises clean and hygienic in cooperation with passenger. On board cleaning staff are available on most long distance trains. Passenger can avail the service by sending their PNR number to “58888” through sms.
For security of train passenger, the all India security helpline no. 182 is said to be available round the clock while another security helpline no. 1800 111 322 is also said to provide security related assistance to passenger.
Details about various facilities available to railway passenger can also be viewed in Indian Railways’ official website, the release further stated.
