Cancelling tickets for the newly launched Vande Bharat Sleeper trains is set to become a more costly affair for passengers, according to recent modifications in the cancellation rules. The Indian Railways has notified stricter norms that introduce steeper deductions and eliminate refunds for last-minute cancellations on these premium overnight trains. These changes are significantly different and more stringent compared to the cancellation policies for other trains, including the existing Vande Bharat chair-car services.
Under the new regulations, if a confirmed Vande Bharat Sleeper ticket is cancelled more than 72 hours before the train's scheduled departure, a 25% deduction will be applied to the fare. For cancellations made between 72 hours and up to eight hours before departure, the cancellation charge will be 50% of the fare. Critically, no refund will be granted if a confirmed ticket is cancelled less than eight hours before the scheduled departure. Passengers will also lose the entire fare if they fail to cancel the ticket or do not file a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) online at least eight hours in advance of the train's departure.
These stricter rules have been implemented because the Railways now prepares the reservation chart eight hours before the train's departure, a change from the previous norm of four hours. This reduced time window for cancellation and altered refund amounts are specific to Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, as only confirmed tickets are issued for these services, and there is no provision for Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC). The Railway Board has stated that the minimum chargeable distance for these trains will be 400 km. Furthermore, reservations are limited to specific quotas, including ladies, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and duty pass holders; other reservations are not applicable.
For comparison, the cancellation rules for other trains stipulate a flat cancellation rate if tickets are cancelled anytime before 48 hours before the scheduled departure. These rates vary depending on the class of travel: Rs 240 for First AC, Rs 200 for Tier-2 AC, Rs 180 for Tier-3 AC, Rs 120 for Sleeper, and Rs 60 for Second Class. If a ticket is cancelled between 48 hours and up to 12 hours before departure, a 25% cancellation charge is levied. A 50% deduction applies to tickets cancelled between 12 hours and up to four hours before departure. However, no refund is provided for confirmed tickets if they are not cancelled or a TDR is not filed online up to four hours before the scheduled departure.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper train aims to offer passengers an airline-like travel experience with economical fares, making long-distance journeys faster and more convenient. The first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, operates between Howrah and Guwahati. This fully air-conditioned train comprises 16 modern coaches with a total capacity of 823 passengers.
