Tag : Overbooking

Chennai: Is the Indian Railways following the airline industry policy – overbooking of seats? This question popped up in the minds of a couple of passengers of the Ahilya Nagari SF Express train travellin from Chennai to Palakkad, Kerala. The passengers received a message from the IRCTC just before boarding the train that they were downgraded from the air conditioned coach normal coach to third air conditioned coach-economy class. The Indian Railways has introduced a new class – third AC Economy – that has higher seat/berth capacity and a lower fare structure than a normal third AC coach. “I had booked and got a confirmed third AC class ticket from Chennai to Palakkad on IRCTC ticket booking portal. Prior to our actual journey I got a message from IRCTC saying that I have been allotted accommodation in 3E instead of 3A and eligible for a refund of fare difference,” Sidharth told IANS. “However to get the refund, I have to spend money and time. Already I am put to the hardship of traveling in a lower class than what I had booked and paid for. Further for unknown reasons IRCTC informs me that the seat and the berth has been allotted in a different coach. “When that is the case, IRCTC’s systems should be able to calculate the difference and credit my bank account with the fare difference. But as per the Indian Railways procedure, I have to courier the certificate of downgrade issued by the Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) to IRCTC office in Delhi. The IRCTC Delhi will in turn send the claim to the concerned Railway Zone under whose jurisdiction the concerned train falls. On receipt of the refund money from that Railway Zone, IRCTC will refund the money,” he added. As per norms, refund claims are to be filed within two days of getting the ...