The Indian Railways has decided to allow Waiting Lists in the lockdown special trains that began operations from 12th May 2020. This is a change of stance from earlier, where waiting lists were not allowed.
Waiting Lists will be applicable from 15th May 2020 for trains that are to depart on 22nd May onwards.
Indian Railways notified running of Rajdhani specials as part of the phased revival of services for passengers. These trains came with a plethora of tough conditions keeping in mind the requirements in the changed environment necessitated by COVID.
The following are the changes that will now come into effect as per a circular from the Railway Board.
· Waiting List (WL) upto a maximum of 20 for First Class AC or Executive Class, 50 for AC 2 Tier, 100 each for AC 3 Tier and Sleeper Classes will be allowed. RAC will continue to be disallowed.
· Quotas are being allowed under the revised rules – Senior Citizens, Ladies, and Divyangjan (HP).
· Other quotas like Freedom Fighter, fully reimbursable warrants/vouchers, Duty Pass, etc. also allowed.
· HOR quota for VIPs and Parliament House quota for former Parliamentarians also revived.
· Adequate provision to be made for Head Office (Emergency) Quota to meet exignecies.
· The refund rules are revised. Railways are reverting to the existing refund rules (instead of the specially notified 50% refund only on these trains).
· Unutilized quota is to be transferred to the next remote location quota.
All these measures are seen as more passenger-friendly and come in to effect with bookings commencing on 15 May onwards for travel commencing 22 May onwards.
