Indian Railways introduces OTP-based refund system for canceled tickets
What's the story
In a bid to make refunds more transparent and customer-friendly for passengers, the Indian Railways has introduced a new, One Time Password (OTP)-based refund system for canceled e-tickets and for fully wait-listed dropped tickets. The refund amount will be applicable against canceled/wait-listed tickets booked via 1.7 lakh authorized agents of the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Here are more details.
Details
Currently, refunds on agent-booked tickets take up to three weeks
Although the refund amount is transferred within a span of four to five days in case the canceled ticket is booked by the passenger, the same could take up to as much as three weeks' time when booked by an agent. Thus, the new OTP-based procedure will ensure that the passengers don't have to wait for too long to receive their refund.
Objective
Move aimed at transparent and customer-friendly refund system
According to the Indian Railways, the said move is aimed to bring a transparent and customer-friendly refund system for reserved e-tickets. Notably, the new system will be implemented by IRCTC. "The objective of the scheme is to streamline the cancellation refund process further so that cancellation amount is refunded timely to the customer by the agents," the national transporter said in a statement.
Mechanism
Here's how the new refund system will work
Under the new system, the OTP for refund will be sent via SMS to the registered mobile number provided by the passenger to the agent at the time of booking. They will then have to furnish this OTP to the agent to get the due refund amount. Customers are advised to ensure that they provide the correct mobile number while booking their tickets.