Indian Railways is planning to introduce a new online ticket booking facility for pet dogs and cats. This proposal is expected to make the booking process easier for pet owners and provide them with a hassle-free travel experience.
Travelling with pets is a common practice among pet owners, but it can be difficult to book train tickets for them. Until now, pet owners had to visit the parcel booking counters on the day of travel and book 1st Class AC tickets, cabins, or coupes to travel with their pets. However, the Ministry of Railways has now proposed an online ticket-booking facility for pets, which is expected to ease the process.
Booking Process Earlier
Previously, pet owners had to go through a tedious process to book train tickets for their pets. They had to visit the parcel booking counters on the day of travel and book 1st Class AC tickets, cabins, or coupes and reserve the entire coupe. Alternatively, passengers were permitted to carry their pets in a box in the second-class luggage and break van, which was inconvenient for pet owners.
Proposal and Changes
To address the difficulties faced by pet owners, the Ministry of Railways is considering online ticket booking for pets. The proposal includes an online booking facility for pets in AC-1 class of trains, allowing TTEs to book pets onboard. The Railway Board has instructed CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems) to make changes to the software so that the facility for online booking of animals can be added to the IRCTC website.
Booking Guidelines
Once the online service is operational, railway passengers will be able to book animal tickets online on the IRCTC website using their mobile or computer after the first chart of the train is prepared. However, this will only be possible if the passenger’s ticket is confirmed. The TTE will also have the authority to book tickets for pets, which will be kept in the SLR coach and reserved for the guard. Owners can provide water, food, etc. to their pets at train stoppages.
However, there are some conditions for booking animal tickets online. The passenger’s ticket must be confirmed, and if the passenger cancels the ticket, no refund will be given for the animal ticket. If the train is cancelled or delayed by more than three hours, the pet ticket fee will not be refunded either. Only the passenger’s ticket will be refunded.
Benefits of Online Ticket Booking for Pets
The new online ticket booking facility for pets will bring several benefits to pet owners. Firstly, they will no longer have to visit the parcel booking counters and can book the tickets from the comfort of their home. Secondly, it will save time and avoid long queues at the parcel booking counters. Lastly, it will provide a hassle-free travel experience for pet owners.
Conclusion
The Ministry of Railways has proposed a new online ticket booking facility for pet dogs and cats, which is expected to make the booking process easier for pet owners. Once operational, pet owners can book tickets for their pets online using their mobile or computer after the first chart of the train is prepared. The TTE will also have the authority to book tickets for pets, which will be kept in the SLR coach and reserved for the guard. However, there are some conditions for booking animal tickets online.
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