Railway Minister: Physical Ticket Holders Can Cancel Online, but Refund Collection Requires Counter Visit

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Friday that passengers who purchase physical tickets from railway counters can now cancel them online via the IRCTC website or by calling 139. However, to receive the refund, they must visit the reservation center in person.

The issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha by BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni, who inquired whether passengers holding waitlisted counter tickets must physically visit the station for cancellation before the train’s departure, unlike e-tickets that can be canceled online.

In a written reply, Vaishnaw clarified:

• Waitlisted PRS counter tickets must be canceled at a reservation counter by surrendering the original ticket, following the Railway Passengers (Cancellation of Tickets and Refund of Fares) Rules, 2015.
• However, under normal circumstances, PRS counter tickets can also be canceled online via IRCTC or 139, provided it is done within the prescribed time limit.
• To receive the refund, passengers must still surrender the original ticket at a reservation counter, in line with the Railway’s refund policies and instructions issued from time to time.

The rule change aims to ease the cancellation process while maintaining necessary verification for refund collection.