Train ticket cancellation: Check IRCTC’s new OTP-based refund system
The objective of the new system is to bring transparency and the purpose of the scheme is further to streamline the cancellation process so that the amount is returned by its agent to the end customer.
New Delhi: IRCTC, the online ticketing arm of Indian Railways, has launched a one-time password (OTP) based facility through which passengers can know the details of the refund of canceled train tickets booked through IRCTC-registered agents.
Through this facility, the passenger can know about the confirmed refund amount of the canceled tickets or waiting list tickets, which were not confirmed, booked on his behalf by the agent.
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The purpose of the new system is to bring transparency and the scheme aims to further streamline the cancellation refund process so that this amount is returned to the end customer by the agent.
How does the new system work
Under the new system, an OTP will be sent as an SMS to the registered mobile number of the passenger provided to the agent at the time of booking. When the agent cancels a train ticket booked on behalf of his client, the customer must share the OTP with the agent, after which the refund will be processed.
So to ensure that the passengers get their refund amount on time, it is advised that the IRCTC-authorized agent be given the correct mobile number of one of the passengers while booking the ticket. In addition, the customer should ensure that the agent records his mobile number correctly while booking the train ticket.
It may be noted that only IRCTC authorized agents are allowed to book reserved rail e-tickets for the customer.
It is worth noting here that e-ticket cancellation cannot be done at railway counters. In addition, the refund is credited to the account that was used to book the tickets online (after deduction of applicable cancellation fee).
As per IRCTC rules, e-tickets cannot be canceled once the chart is prepared. No fare on the ticket will be refunded if the cancellation of the ticket is not confirmed or the Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) is not recorded online until four hours before the scheduled departure of the train.
