Indian Railways Offers Free Meals and Refunds for Winter Train Delays
Indian Railways is addressing the inconvenience caused by winter train delays by providing free meals and refunds to passengers on premium trains like the Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto Express. The IRCTC catering policy ensures passengers are supported during such disruptions.
Why Trains Get Delayed in Winter
Dense fog and low visibility during winter often disrupt train schedules, leading to significant delays. Premium trains are particularly affected, leaving passengers waiting for long hours.
Free Meals for Delayed Trains
To make delays less stressful, Indian Railways provides complimentary meals if a train is delayed by two hours or more. Meals are given to passengers at the station or onboard.
Meal Options Include:
- Beverages: Tea or coffee with biscuits, plus sugar (or sugar-free) and milk creamer kits.
- Breakfast or Snacks: Bread slices (white or brown) with butter, a 200ml fruit drink, and tea or coffee.
- Lunch or Dinner Options:
- Rice with yellow dal, rajma, or chickpeas (chole), plus pickle sachets.
- Seven pooris with mixed vegetables, pickles, and salt/pepper packets.
Refunds for Long Delays
Passengers can get a full refund in certain cases:
- If the train is delayed by over three hours.
- If the train is rerouted and the passenger chooses not to travel.
Refunds for online tickets are processed digitally, while those with counter-booked tickets need to cancel in person to receive cash refunds.
Tackling Winter Challenges
Train delays are a recurring issue in winter, but Indian Railways’ free meal and refund policies aim to reduce passenger inconvenience and improve the travel experience.
